South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit has removed the governor of Western Equatoria state and the deputy governor of Western Bahr el Ghazal, according to a decree broadcast on state television on Monday evening.
The decree, aired on the state-run South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC), relieved James Ateib Jaz Berapai of his duties as governor of Western Equatoria and Zachariah Joseph Garang as deputy governor of Western Bahr el Ghazal.
Ateib was appointed governor of Western Equatoria on August 6, 2025.
Garang was named deputy governor of Western Bahr el Ghazal on December 30, 2020, and had served in the post for several years.
Kiir appointed Badagbu Daniel Rimbasa, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) secretary for culture, information and communication, as the new governor of Western Equatoria.
Chum Edward Dimo was appointed deputy governor of Western Bahr el Ghazal.
Rimbasa had previously been dismissed as deputy governor of Western Equatoria by Kiir in August 2025.
The president did not give reasons for the changes. All the officials involved are members of the SPLM, South Sudan’s ruling party.
The reshuffle comes amid continued difficulties in implementing the 2018 power-sharing agreement between Kiir and his first deputy, Riek Machar, who has been suspended as first vice president and is facing treason charges in Juba.