A directive from the Office of the President
South Sudan’s Office of the President has issued a new directive to reshape how high-level appointments and removals are communicated and implemented. The circular was issued on Thursday by Minister of Presidential Affairs Africano Mande Gedima, and it takes effect immediately.
Public announcements halted for top appointments
Under the directive, the appointment or relief of senior officials will no longer be announced through the South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) or other public broadcast media. The move signals a shift toward what the circular calls a more “discreet, institutionalized protocol” for personnel changes.
Tighter control of presidential documents and signatures
The circular states that photographing, scanning, or posting any official document bearing the president’s signature online or on social media is “strictly forbidden”. Such documents are described as “privileged executive communication”, indicating a heightened sensitivity around how official decrees are handled.
Confidential delivery through supervising authorities
The directive sets out a new delivery chain for presidential decrees. Instead of serving documents directly to individual appointees, the Office of the President will transmit decrees confidentially by official letter to the relevant overseeing authority, which will manage internal execution.
Need-to-know access and a Central Registry
Access to presidential decrees and orders is restricted on a “need-to-know” basis, according to the circular. It also announces a Central Registry to track decrees and to prevent what it describes as “unauthorized digital footprints” linked to official communications.
Enforcement measures and administrative penalties
The directive frames obstruction of a presidential decree as a “grave administrative offense”. It says legal and administrative action may be taken against officials who refuse to vacate office or hand over duties, reinforcing an emphasis on orderly transitions in public administration.
Who the directive applies to across government
The circular lists a wide scope, including members of parliament in the Transitional National Legislative Assembly and Council of States. It also covers undersecretaries, senior civil servants, ambassadors, state-level officials, and heads of independent commissions, institutions, and parastatals.
Rationale, legal basis and compliance reporting
The stated objective is to “enhance professional decorum, protect the dignity of the office, and ensure administrative stability,” the circular says. It cites the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan, 2011 (as amended) as its authority.
48-hour reporting requirement and immediate effect
Responsible authorities are instructed to submit a formal “Consolidated Compliance Report” to the Office of the President within 48 hours of executing a decree. The directive was signed by Minister Africano Mande Gedima in Juba on January 8, 2026, underscoring its immediate implementation timeline.