Adeng Cecilia Manyok, a name synonymous with resilience and determination, has traversed an extraordinary path from being a refugee child in the United States to becoming one of South Sudan's most influential diplomats. Her recent appointment as the caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on September 22, 2026, by President Salva Kiir, is a testament to her remarkable journey. This appointment came following the dissolution of the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity, with Manyok being one of 13 caretaker ministers tasked with overseeing the government as South Sudan prepares for the general elections on December 22, 2026.
Manyok's diplomatic career is not new; she has represented South Sudan at the United Nations for years. A significant milestone in her career was her appointment as the country's first woman to serve as Permanent Representative to the UN in February 2024. She presented her credentials to UN Secretary-General António Guterres on February 12, 2024. The South Sudan Foreign Affairs Ministry still lists her as the Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York. Her rise to this position is a story of hard work and dedication, beginning with her early life in the United States.
Manyok's personal history is closely intertwined with the United States. In 1999, at the age of nine, she arrived in America with her mother and six siblings through a refugee resettlement program. The family settled in Boise, Idaho. Her involvement in the South Sudanese community in the US was evident when she won the first Miss South Sudan pageant in America in 2006. At that time, she was a 20-year-old political science student at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. Manyok used this platform to amplify the voices of Sudanese youth.
Manyok's academic pursuits played a crucial role in shaping her career. She furthered her education at Howard University in Washington, D.C., where she obtained a Master's degree in Public Administration. Her academic background in Political Science and Public Administration laid the foundation for her future work in government and diplomacy. Before her senior role at the UN, Manyok worked within South Sudan's diplomatic and presidential structures. She was part of South Sudan's diplomatic mission in Washington before moving to Juba, where she worked in the Office of the President during the formative years surrounding independence.
Manyok's professional trajectory spans the South Sudanese diaspora, the diplomatic mission in Washington, the presidency, and eventually, the United Nations. A 2011 United Nations document identified her as an Office Manager at the State House. Her role at the UN evolved over time, with records showing her serving as South Sudan's Deputy Permanent Representative, including periods when she served as Chargé d’affaires. By 2021, she was recognized as Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative.
In her role as Permanent Representative, Manyok has been a vocal advocate for several key positions of the South Sudan government. She has consistently argued against the UN arms embargo and targeted sanctions. In May 2025, after the Security Council renewed these measures, Manyok stated that the sanctions obstructed the training and deployment of the Necessary Unified Forces, a critical requirement of the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement. She emphasized the government's commitment to implementing the 2018 peace agreement and defending South Sudan's political transition and elections.
Manyok's diplomatic engagements at the UN extend beyond the Security Council. She has participated in discussions on peacebuilding, the Peacebuilding Commission, and the Peacebuilding Fund. During the 77th and 78th General Assembly sessions, she addressed issues ranging from peacebuilding to the human rights situation in Eritrea. Her diplomatic portfolio also includes discussions on Abyei, women’s empowerment, and climate change. In May 2026, she told the Security Council that South Sudan remained committed to working with UNMISS and regional partners to address the situation in Abyei.
Key points
- Adeng Cecilia Manyok's appointment as caretaker Foreign Affairs Minister marks a significant milestone in her diplomatic career, which spans roles from refugee to prominent diplomat.
- Manyok has been a vocal advocate for the lifting of the UN arms embargo and targeted sanctions against South Sudan.
- Her journey from a refugee child in the US to a senior diplomat and minister is a testament to her resilience and dedication to serving her country.
