President Salva Kiir has removed Lakes State Governor Rin Tueny Mabor after about four years in office, replacing him with Maj. Gen. Madhang Majok Meen, a presidential decree announced Monday night.
The move drew mixed reactions across Lakes State, with some residents praising Tueny for improving security while others welcomed the change and urged the new governor to address lingering challenges.
Deng Mayom, a youth representative from Rumbek Central County, told Radio Tamazuj Tuesday that Tueny’s tenure brought notable improvements in security. He said residents were able to move freely at night and that incidents such as road ambushes and revenge attacks had declined.
“His four years were among the best,” Deng said, adding that security forces were deployed in hotspots to protect civilians and property. He urged the new governor to build on those gains and focus on insecurity in parts of Rumbek North, Cueibet and Rumbek Central counties.
In Yirol West County, youth leader Anyak Mabor Anyak said he welcomed the president’s decision, describing Tueny as a “champion of peace” while acknowledging that economic hardship remained a major challenge.
He said accusations of corruption leveled against the former governor stemmed largely from the country’s broader economic crisis, including unpaid salaries for security forces. He added that poorly fed soldiers had at times looted civilians, fueling public anger.
“Rin Tueny did not bring 100% peace, but he maintained relative stability,” Anyak said. He called on communities to cooperate with the new governor and urged the national government to ensure security forces are adequately supported.
Civil society groups also weighed in. Daniel Laat Kon, coordinator of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), congratulated Maj. Gen. Madhang on his appointment and called on him to set clear priorities focused on security and reconciliation.
CEPO urged the new governor to convene an inclusive conference to review past peace resolutions and to work toward releasing detained political figures, including SPLM-IO Deputy Governor Dr. Isaiah Akol Mathiang and state Minister of Animal Resources Gai Magok, as a confidence-building measure.
“The release of detainees would be a strong signal of reconciliation and good governance,” Laat said.
He also called for efforts to promote economic development, agriculture and infrastructure, and for inclusive governance that respects human rights, the rule of law, transparency and accountability.
Lakes State Acting Information Minister William Koji Kirjok described the change of governor as routine and urged residents to remain calm. He said preparations were underway to receive the new governor once he is sworn in.
“Governor Rin Tueny has done his part and deserves appreciation,” Kirjok said, adding that existing customary laws and security arrangements would remain in place under the new administration.
Lakes State has long been one of South Sudan’s most volatile regions, plagued by intercommunal violence and cattle raids. Supporters credit Tueny’s hardline approach for reducing violence, while critics say deeper political and economic problems remain unresolved.