President Salva Kiir Mayardit has appointed Wilson Wuol Gajang as the new deputy governor of Jonglei State, filling a position that had remained vacant for nearly ten months.
The post became vacant in March 2025 after former Deputy Governor Atong Kuol was appointed National Minister of Trade.
Jonglei State Information Minister Nyanmar Lony confirmed the appointment on Monday and described it as long overdue. She said the move will strengthen the state’s administration and support the work of the governor.
“The appointment of Hon. Wilson Wuol Gajang is timely and long overdue,” she stated. “It will help reinforce the leadership of the state and ensure effective coordination and delivery of services to the people of Jonglei.”
Wuol Gajang serves as a SPLM Party parliamentarian representing Pigi County.
However, the appointment has sparked criticism from the National Democratic Movement (NDM) led by Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin. The party says the deputy governor position was expected to go to the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) under the power-sharing arrangement.
In a statement, the NDM described the appointment as a “material breach” of the 2018 Revitalised Peace Agreement, raising concerns over the implementation of the deal in Jonglei State.