The incident, which occurred during the official launch of the Horizon Business Centre on Monday, October 20, 2025, sparked public criticism after images of the program circulated widely on social media.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the committee expressed “sincerest apologies” to President Kiir and described the mix-up as an “unintentional mistake” that happened during final revisions to the event’s program.
“The error mistakenly referred to H.E. Gen. Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel, Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan, as the President and Commander-in-Chief,” the statement read. “This unintentional mistake occurred following the decision by H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit to delegate the Vice President to represent him at the inauguration ceremony.”
The organizers said that once the error was discovered, an official correction was immediately announced during the event in the presence of senior government officials and dignitaries to reaffirm proper protocol and respect for the offices concerned.
“We deeply regret this oversight and convey our most sincere apologies to the Office of the President, the Office of the Vice President, and all distinguished guests who attended the ceremony,” the committee added.
The typographical mistake comes amid claims that Bol Mel holds presidential ambitions owing to his recent rise through the country’s military, political, and even party ranks.
The organizers further assured that measures are being taken to prevent similar errors in future official communications, emphasizing their “unwavering respect and loyalty” to the leadership of the Republic of South Sudan.
The Horizon Business Centre, located in Juba, was inaugurated earlier this week as part of efforts to promote investment and business development in South Sudan. The high-profile event was attended by top government officials, business leaders, and foreign dignitaries.
