JUBA — Major General Atem Salva Kiir, son of South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit, on Thursday formally assumed command of the presidential guard, known as the Tiger Division.
Gen. Atem, 36, assumed command on Thursday following his appointment on September 8, 2026.
His appointment attracted public attention, given the strategic importance of the military formation and country’s political leadership.
It has also raised questions over whether Kiir is following a path similar to that of his ally, Uganda’s long-serving President Yoweri Museveni, whose son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has risen to become the country’s top military commander.
The Tiger Division is an elite unit of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) responsible for protecting the president and other top government officials.
After taking charge, he inspected various units of the Tiger Division at Giada, where he received operational briefings from unit commanders on personnel welfare, institutional challenges, and the operational needs of the division.
In a statement, Gen. Atem pledged to work closely with commanders and troops to address their concerns, improve working conditions, and strengthen discipline within the division.
“I am committed to working closely with commanders and our troops to address their concerns, improve working conditions, strengthen discipline, and support meaningful reforms,” he said.
The new commander also acknowledged the contributions of officers and soldiers who served in the division before his appointment.
“As I assume this responsibility, I remain committed to professionalism, unity, and service to our country,” Gen. Atem said.
His appointment places him at the helm of one of the SSPDF’s key formations as the army continues efforts to strengthen discipline, improve personnel welfare, and enhance professionalism within its ranks.
Gen. Atem, 36, was promoted from brigadier general to major general last week; before his appointment, he served as commander of the Special Force within the Internal Bureau of the National Security Service (NSS).
Gen. Atem joined the security services in 2012 and began his career in the National Security Service.
Gen. Atem is not the first of President Kiir’s children to hold a senior position.
In August 2025, President Kiir appointed Adut Salva Kiir as Senior Presidential Envoy for Special Programmes.
Adut has since represented her father at a number of high-level meetings in South Sudan and abroad.
In May 2025, Kiir also promoted and sworn in his two sons, Thiik Kiir Mayardit and Mayar Kiir Mayardit, as Grade Three Ambassadors in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In November, 2024, Kiir appointed his son – Thiik Salva Kiir Mayardit – as deputy executive director in the office of the president.
President Kiir, 74, has been in power since South Sudan gained independence in 2011.
He remains leader of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and commander-in-chief of the SSPDF and supreme commander of the country’s other regular forces.
