SSOA Leadership Deadlock Delays Appointment of Jonglei State Deputy Governor

By Deng Ghai Deng

Bor, South Sudan — May 26, 2025 — The South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) has not yet reached a consensus on who should assume the role of Jonglei State Deputy Governor, a delay that has prolonged the vacancy in the state’s executive leadership, an SSOA official has confirmed.

Deng Bol Wuol, the leader of SSOA in Jonglei and an MP representing Akobo County in the Jonglei State Assembly, revealed that while the deputy governorship remains designated for SSOA under the power-sharing arrangement, internal disagreements among its member parties have stalled the nomination process.

“There’s still internal competition over who should take what position,” Wuol stated. “Dr. Lam Akol has already been appointed Minister of Roads and Bridges, while Hon. Denay Jock Chagor, the former governor and leader of the South Sudan United Movement (SUM), is lobbying for a national post.”

Wuol added that if Denay secures a position at the national level, the deputy governor slot may be allocated to another party within SSOA, rather than returning to SUM. He emphasized that the delay does not stem from President Salva Kiir’s office, but rather from unresolved internal negotiations within SSOA’s leadership council.

The deputy governorship has remained vacant since March 10, 2025, when President Kiir dismissed Atong Kuol Manyang from the position and subsequently appointed her as Trade Minister. Atong is the daughter of Gen. Kuol Manyang, a senior presidential adviser.

Originally, under the 2018 peace agreement, the Jonglei governorship was assigned to SSOA and the deputy governor seat to the SPLM. However, SSOA and SPLM later agreed to exchange these positions—giving the SPLM the governorship while SSOA retained the deputy governor role. Wuol noted that this deal included two national ministerial posts and the deputy governorship in return for the governorship.

Meanwhile, civil society has raised alarm over the prolonged vacancy. The Jonglei Civil Society Network (JCSN), an umbrella body for NGOs and civic organizations in the state, expressed concern about the implications of the delay on service delivery and governance.

Nyamar Lony, Jonglei State’s Minister of Information, confirmed that the state government is prepared to receive the new deputy governor once appointed.

“We are ready and waiting to receive the Deputy Governor of Jonglei State as soon as the President appoints him or her,”

As the SSOA leadership continues to navigate internal negotiations, the people of Jonglei await resolution to restore full functionality to their state government.