South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Wednesday night appointed deputy governors for six states, after wider consultations with parties. 

He, however, did not appoint deputy governors for three states – Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Warrap and Central Equatoria states.

Today afternoon, Presidential Adviser for National Security Affair Tut Gatluak, an ally of President Kiir, said the Other Political Parties (OPP) – a party to the peace deal – did not agree on allocations of positions of three deputy governors.

He further said government structures in Upper Nile State will be established after the conduct of a general conference involving sons and daughters of the state.

In a presidential decree read on state-run television SSBC, President Kiir appointed Mary Nadio Alphonse as the deputy governor of Eastern Equatoria state. Mary was nominated by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In-Opposition (SPLM-IO) led by First Vice President, Riek Machar.

Mr Kiir also appointed Antipas Nyok as the deputy governor of Jonglei state. Mr Nyok is a nominee of the SPLM Party led by President Salva Kiir.

Mr Puoth Madit Dut of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In-Opposition (SPLM-IO) was appointed deputy governor of Lakes state.

Kiir also appointed Tor Tungwar Kweiguong as the deputy governor of Unity state. Mr Kweiguong represents the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In-Opposition (SPLM-IO).

Angelo Taban Biago, the former governor of the now-defunct Wau state, has been appointed deputy governor of Western Bahr el Ghazal State. He was nominated by the SPLM Party led by President Salva Kiir.

 President Kiir also appointed Kennedy Ganiko as the deputy governor of Western Equatoria State. He was nominated by the SPLM Party.

According to Presidential Adviser Tut Gatluak, all state governments and county authorities will be formed by the first week of January 2021.

“By the first week of January, we would have completed the formation of the transitional government from national to state levels,” Gatluak said.

Edmund Yakani, head of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), which promotes civil society values, welcomed the appointment of deputy governors for six states.

“This is a motivating step for the way forward. Thanks for the parties for responding to our call to ensure that before 1st January 2021, a full-fledged government of national unity is formed at national, state and local government levels,” he said.

The renowned civil society activist appreciated the SPLM-IO for observing the 35% quota for women’s participation in the unity government. He also commended the SPLM for appointing a young person in the transitional government. Yakani, however, called for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the next appointments.

The peace agreement provides for a 35% quota for women’s participation in the transitional government. South Sudanese women hope this key provision will be a catalyst for change in the country.