South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Monday swore in Dr. Riek Gai Kok as the new governor of Jonglei State, a region long plagued by instability and intercommunal violence.
The swearing-in ceremony, held at the Presidential Palace in Juba, also included the swearing in of Nyuol Justin Yaac as Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission and Ezekia Alfandi Gibson as his deputy.
President Kiir urged the new governor to prioritize addressing Jonglei’s pressing challenges, including ongoing insecurity, and pledged his administration’s full support to restore peace and stability in the state. Officials at the ceremony echoed these calls, emphasizing the need for unity and reconciliation in the volatile region.
In his remarks, Dr. Riek Gai Kok, a member of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), committed to working with all sectors of Jonglei society to tackle the state’s challenges.
“I am dedicated to collaborating with every community and stakeholder to bring lasting peace and development to Jonglei,” he said.
Dr. Riek Gai Kok replaces Mahjoub Biel Turuk of the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) as part of a 2023 political deal between President Kiir and SSOA leaders.
Under the agreement, the SPLM was to assume the governorship, while the SSOA would take the deputy governorship and either a special envoy or ministerial position at the national level. However, the implementation of the deal was delayed for nearly two years until Kiir’s recent move.
Jonglei State, one of South Sudan’s most volatile regions, has long struggled with intercommunal violence, cattle raiding, and political tensions. The new leadership faces the daunting task of addressing these issues while promoting economic development and social cohesion.