Kiir appoints Unity State officials amid fallout from Abiemnom massacre probe

JUBA — South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Thursday night issued a series of decrees appointing and replacing senior officials in Unity State, including state advisors, ministers, and county commissioners, in a move that follows the reappointment of Governor Joseph Nguen Manytuil.

The appointments, made on the state-owned South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC), come amid heightened scrutiny following a Sudans Post investigation into the March 1 Abiemnom massacre, which killed at least 169 civilians.

Notably, the newly appointed county commissioners are largely figures who previously held the same positions during Manytuil’s earlier tenure as governor, effectively restoring a pre-2024 local administrative structure across key counties in the state.

At the state level, Malieth Kak was appointed Advisor for Peace and Security and Samaani Chuoryier Koryom as Advisor for Legal Affairs.

Ling Gatgach Nhial was appointed Minister of Finance and Investment, replacing John Gatluak Doar.

At the county level, Bol Mayak Riak was appointed Commissioner of Mayom County, replacing Jackson Mut Yien Goah.

Other appointments include Stephen Salaam Maluit in Rubkona County, Gordon Koang Biel in Koch County, Kaway Chany Buor in Guit County, Stephen Taker Riak Dong in Leer County, and Gatluak Nyang Hoth in Mayendit County.

The reinstatement of these officials signals a consolidation of authority around Manytuil, who has long maintained influence over political and security structures in Unity State.

Several of the counties affected by the reshuffle, particularly Mayom County, were central to the Abiemnom violence.

A Sudans Post investigation into the attack cited testimonies from community leaders and local sources alleging that armed youth from Mayom County carried out the assault, with logistical and military backing from elements within the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), including the 4th Infantry Division.

Some sources also alleged that local administrative and security officials had prior knowledge of the mobilization of armed groups, though these claims were not independently confirmed and were either denied or not addressed by those contacted.

The government has not provided reasons for the latest appointments or removals, consistent with a pattern in South Sudan where senior officials are frequently reshuffled without public explanation, even in the context of major security incidents.

There was no immediate response from the presidency on whether the changes are linked to the findings of the Abiemnom investigation.