On September 28, 2026, President Salva Kiir Mayardit of South Sudan announced the appointment of four additional caretaker national ministers. This move brings the total number of caretaker ministers appointed since the dissolution of the transitional government to 17. The appointments were made through a presidential decree read on the state broadcaster SSBC.
The newly appointed ministers include Dr. John Gai Yoah as caretaker minister of health, Dr. Kuyok Abol Kuyok as caretaker minister of general education and instruction, Denay Jock Chagor as caretaker minister of wildlife conservation and tourism, and Peter Mayen Majongdit as caretaker minister of humanitarian affairs and disaster management. Notably, some of these appointees have prior experience in their respective portfolios.
These appointments constitute the second phase of caretaker ministerial appointments following President Kiir's dissolution of the transitional government on September 22, 2026. Initially, 13 caretaker ministers were appointed on the same day the government was dissolved. The transitional government was formed under the 2018 peace agreement.
Some of the newly appointed ministers have a history in their respective fields. Kuyok and Chagor previously held their current portfolios in the transitional government. Gai Yoah had served as education minister in an earlier government, and Mayen Majongdit was the minister of humanitarian affairs and disaster management from 2020 until his dismissal in November 2022.
In addition to the ministerial appointments, President Kiir has also granted caretaker governors and chief administrators the authority to appoint caretaker state ministers, county commissioners, and mayors. These appointments are required to be submitted to the Office of the President within a seven-day period.
At the state level, caretaker administrations are mandated to have seven key ministerial portfolios. These portfolios include finance, planning and investment; local government and law enforcement; information and communication; health; general education and instruction; roads, bridges and infrastructure; and agriculture and food security.
The presidential order cites the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan and the National Elections Act as the legal basis for these caretaker arrangements. The order also directs all caretaker officials to act impartially and prohibits them from using public resources for electoral gain. With the National Elections Commission scheduling elections for December 22, 2026, and an ongoing inter-party dialogue in Juba, these developments are crucial in the lead-up to the vote.
Key points
- President Salva Kiir has appointed four more caretaker ministers, bringing the total to 17.
- The appointments aim to facilitate the transition ahead of the December 22, 2026 elections.
- Caretaker officials are required to act impartially and cannot use public resources for electoral advantage.
