Rin Tueny: Lakes State Executive Appointments Announced

• Caretaker Governor Rin Tueny Mabor issued decrees appointing numerous executive officials in Lakes State.
• The appointments include advisors, ministers, heads of commissions, a municipal mayor, and eight county commissioners.
• President Salva Kiir directed all appointees to act impartially and not use public resources for electoral advantage.
• New officials are tasked with ensuring peaceful campaigns, candidate protection, and free and fair elections.
• The appointees were scheduled for a swearing-in ceremony in Rumbek on October 14.

President Salva Kiir's instructions are clear: all newly appointed officials must operate with strict impartiality, avoiding any actions that could be perceived as favoritism or bias.

Caretaker Governor General Rin Tueny Mabor recently initiated significant changes within the Lakes State administration, issuing a series of gubernatorial decrees to fill key executive positions. These Rin Tueny Lakes State executive appointments encompass a broad spectrum of roles, including advisors, ministers, and various commissioners, signaling a comprehensive restructuring of the regional government. The directives accompanying these appointments, issued on a recent Monday, also outlined crucial guidelines for the newly designated Lakes State caretaker government officials, emphasizing their conduct during the upcoming electoral period.

The decrees mandated that all individuals appointed to these influential roles must adhere to specific instructions from President Salva Kiir. These instructions primarily focus on maintaining strict impartiality and refraining from utilizing public resources to gain an advantage in electoral campaigns. Furthermore, the appointees were explicitly directed to collaborate closely with the state leadership to ensure the successful execution of peaceful campaigns, safeguard candidates, and ultimately facilitate free and fair elections. The newly appointed officials were instructed to report to the state headquarters in Rumbek for their official swearing-in ceremony, which was scheduled for Wednesday, October 14.

The extensive list of Rin Tueny Mabor cabinet appointments introduces a new cohort of leadership across critical sectors. Among the advisors, Poth Madit Dut, a former SPLM-IO member who has transitioned to SPLM-IG, was named Advisor for Political Affairs. Kedit Madol Kedit assumed the role of Advisor for Peace and Security, while Enock Makuch Mayek was appointed Advisor for Economic Affairs. Aruai Osman Bol will serve as Advisor for Human Rights, Gender & Social Welfare, reflecting a focus on social protection and equity.

Ministerial portfolios saw Makur Madit Ruei taking charge of Finance, Planning & Investment, and Manyang Luk Lueth heading Local Government & Law Enforcement. William Koji Kerjok was designated Minister of Information, Communications and Telecommunications (ICT), with Dr. Makur Matur Koriom appointed Minister of Health. Daniel Deng Mario, another former SPLM-IO official from Cueibet now aligned with SPLM-IG, became Minister of General Education & Instruction. Zahariah Magot Ater will oversee Roads, Bridges and Physical Infrastructure, and Philip Mawut Garang was appointed Minister of Agriculture and Food Security.

Beyond the core ministries, the decrees also established leadership for several vital commissions and authorities. Apande Bol Gong was appointed to lead the Revenue Authority, while Majok Anhiem Dhaal took the helm of the Anti-Corruption & Employees Justice body. Mabor Paul Kodit will head the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, and Alapayo Manyang Kuctiel was named to the Gender and Social Welfare commission. The Rumbek Municipal Mayor position was assigned to Kuol Mathubier Kuc Dhal. A comprehensive list of Lakes State commissioner appointments was also issued, covering all eight counties: Manyiel Riak Manyiel for Rumbek Central, Machueng Awur Machueng for Cueibet, Malual Manyuon Mayen for Rumbek East, Buoi Mayek Kuch for Rumbek North, Paul Cabiet Ayang for Yirol West, James Biar Akucjang for Awerial, William Kulang Ajac for Wulu, and Mayor Aleth Nyimur for Yirol East. Additionally, Maker Anhiem Aliit was appointed Deputy Commissioner for the Revenue Authority, and Mabeny Malual Kodi became Deputy Rumbek Town Mayor.

The directives issued alongside these South Sudan gubernatorial decrees underscore a strong emphasis on maintaining public trust and ensuring a fair electoral process. President Salva Kiir's instructions are clear: all newly appointed officials must operate with strict impartiality, avoiding any actions that could be perceived as favoritism or bias. This mandate is particularly critical in the context of upcoming elections, where the integrity of the process is paramount.

A key component of these directives is the explicit prohibition against using public resources for electoral leverage. This measure aims to level the playing field for all candidates and prevent any undue advantage that could arise from access to state assets or influence. The appointees are also tasked with actively cooperating with the state leadership to foster an environment conducive to peaceful campaigns, ensuring the safety and protection of all candidates, and ultimately guaranteeing the conduct of free and fair elections across Lakes State. The Rumbek government swearing-in ceremony served as the formal commencement of their duties under these stringent guidelines.

Lawyers and compliance officers with interests or clients operating in Lakes State, South Sudan, must identify and familiarize themselves with these newly appointed executive officials, as they will be the key government contacts for regulatory, administrative, and policy matters across various sectors. This also highlights the need to monitor compliance with directives on impartiality and resource use during the electoral period.

Source: Original reporting via local government decrees.