Jonglei Deputy Governor Appointment Ends Long Vacancy
President Salva Kiir Mayardit has appointed Wilson Wuol Gajang as Deputy Governor of Jonglei State, filling a role left open for nearly ten months. The decision places a new political figure alongside Governor Dr. Riek Gai Kok at a time of sustained security and humanitarian strain.
Leadership Transition After Atong Kuol Manyang’s Promotion
The deputy governorship became vacant in March 2025, after Atong Kuol Manyang moved to the national cabinet as Minister of Trade and Industry. Since then, Governor Dr. Riek Gai Kok has led the state administration without a deputy amid ongoing governance pressures.
State Government Sees Administrative Stability and Better Delivery
Jonglei State Minister of Information Nyanmar Lony confirmed the appointment and framed it as overdue. “The appointment restores the full leadership structure of the state government and will help improve coordination and service delivery,” Lony said.
Wilson Wuol Gajang, an SPLM Member of Parliament representing Pigi County, is expected to assume office immediately. State officials say the additional leadership capacity is intended to strengthen coordination in a challenging operating environment.
R-ARCSS Power-Sharing Questions Raise Political Sensitivities
The appointment has also stirred debate around the 2018 Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS). Under the agreement, the Jonglei deputy governorship has been widely viewed as allocated to the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA).
The National Democratic Movement (NDM), an SSOA member party led by Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin, criticised the move as a “material breach” of the peace agreement. It remains unclear whether the issue will go to formal dispute-resolution mechanisms or be handled through political negotiations.
Civil Society Reaction Focuses on Capacity and Institutions
Some civil society actors welcomed the appointment, arguing it could reduce pressure on the Governor and improve performance. In a statement, Bol Deng Bol said the long delay had overstretched the state’s top office.
“The Government of Jonglei State has been single-handedly headed by the Governor for over a year. This heaped a heavy burden on him, especially in the prevailing challenging situation in the state,” Bol said.
He added, “We welcome the appointment of His Excellency Wilson Wuol Gajang Awuol as Deputy Governor of Jonglei State. This has been long overdue, and we expect more agility in the execution of government roles and services to the citizens and residents of Jonglei State.”
The statement also called for the reopening of the Jonglei State Legislative Assembly, saying its recess has extended beyond the expected period. “We appeal to the Governor to expedite the reopening of the State Legislative Assembly to allow for the full functioning of the three arms of the state government,” it said.
Jonglei Governance Outlook Hinges on Consensus and Cooperation
With Jonglei State still confronting intercommunal violence, humanitarian needs, and governance constraints, observers say the impact of the new leadership arrangement will depend on political consensus. Institutional cooperation, including coordination between the executive and the legislative assembly, is seen as central to delivering tangible improvements.