South Sudan President’s Office Regrets Appointment of Deceased Individual

By Debora Akur Chol | South Sudan

The Office of the President of South Sudan has expressed regret over the appointment of a deceased individual to a leadership body established under the peace agreement, saying steps are underway to correct the error.

A Republican Order dated January 30, 2026, included the name of Mr. Steward Sorobo Budia, who had passed away before the order was issued. According to the Office of the President, his name was submitted by one of the signatory stakeholders during formal consultations.

“This decision was reached following wide ranging consultations in which names were proposed by various stakeholders to ensure a representative selection process,” said Ambassador David Amour Majur, Press Secretary in the Office of the President in a statement released on Monday.

He explained that the Office relied on the accuracy and timeliness of the information submitted by stakeholders during the consultative phase.

“The Office of the President depended entirely on the correctness and currency of the names provided,” Amour said.

He added that the Office has begun the process of rectifying the appointment order and is awaiting a replacement nominee from the concerned stakeholder.

“Going forward, the Office will introduce more stringent verification procedures to ensure that all submissions meet the highest standards of accuracy,” Amour noted.

The Office also extended condolences to the family of the late Mr. Sorobo and reaffirmed its commitment to continuity, inclusivity, and the full implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).

South Sudan is preparing for its long awaited general elections later this year. The recent appointments follow a statement made last month by President Salva Kiir, in which he reaffirmed that the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) is ready to engage in dialogue with other political parties ahead of t

he 2026 elections.