South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has sworn in General James Koang Chuol as the new governor of Upper Nile State, tasking him with ending ongoing hostilities and restoring peace in the troubled region.
The swearing-in ceremony, held in Juba on Thursday, saw President Kiir call on Gen. Koang to prioritize reconciliation and unity among the state’s divided communities. He urged citizens to reject cycles of revenge and instead work towards the common good of the country.
“James Koang Chol is no stranger to us. He began his military career with the Jamus battalion and later rose to become an officer. I am confident he will bring peace to the area of Nasir since he said he is a man of peace. However, what we do not want is revenge killings by citizens in Nasir,” Kiir said.
Senior government officials and military leaders, including Defence Minister Gen. Chol Thon Balok and army chief Gen. Paul Nang, who attended the event, expressed confidence in Gen. Koang’s ability to address the state’s complex challenges.
Defense Minister Gen. Chol Thon stated, “We welcome the appointment of Gen. Koang, who is a capable and dedicated cadre. My advice to you, Gen. Koang, is to prioritize security and ensure the protection of the border. There are a lot of things happening at the border there.”
A senior general in the Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), Gen. Koang pledged to foster dialogue and peaceful coexistence, particularly in his hometown of Nasir, which has recently been a flashpoint for violence.
However, the appointment has sparked concerns over the implementation of the 2018 peace agreement. Under the terms of the deal, the position of Upper Nile governor was to be filled by a nominee from the party of First Vice President Riek Machar. Instead, President Kiir issued a decree late on Wednesday, replacing Gen. James Odhok Oyai—who was appointed in January 2023 as part of the power-sharing agreement—with Gen. Koang, a member of Kiir’s own party.
The move comes amid escalating tensions between President Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar, raising fears that the country could slide back into civil war. The peace deal between the two leaders has been marred by repeated delays in implementation and sporadic outbreaks of violence.
Recent weeks have seen heightened military activity in Upper Nile, with the SSPDF, supported by Ugandan troops, launching airstrikes in an attempt to retake Nasir from the White Army, a militia linked to Machar. The White Army seized control of the town on 4 March following intense clashes with government forces.
The violence has displaced thousands of civilians, exacerbating humanitarian challenges in a region already struggling with food insecurity and limited access to basic services.