South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit has dismissed his peace advisor and three deputy governors representing the opposition SPLM-IO, according to a presidential decree read on state television Wednesday night.
Moses Gatkuoth Lony, appointed presidential peace advisor in 2023, was removed in a major realignment of the government of national unity.
Lony previously served as a member of parliament for Jonglei and held senior humanitarian roles within the SPLM-IO during the country’s civil war. He is replaced by Peter Charliman Chawach, a veteran politician and SPLM-IO lawmaker with extensive experience in Upper Nile state.
The reshuffle also affected deputy governors in Lakes, Unity, and Eastern Equatoria states, all representing the SPLM-IO, the main partner in the 2018 revitalized peace agreement.
In Lakes State, Dr. Isaiah Akol Mathiang, who was arrested in March 2025 after criticizing government military actions in Nasir, was replaced by Isaac Luka Manga.
In Unity State, Tor Tungwar Kueigwong, who fled into exile following the detention of opposition leader Dr. Riek Machar, was replaced by William Gatjang Ging.
Mary Alphonse Lodira, deputy governor of Eastern Equatoria, was also dismissed. In April 2025, while receiving medical treatment in London, her office was closed by security agents after she rejected a leadership change in the state. Karlo Andrew Akuo Ajerry has been appointed in her place.
Under the fragile 2018 peace deal, the president can dismiss officials but is generally expected to consult the relevant political parties.
It is unclear whether these dismissals were endorsed by SPLM-IO leadership, which is currently divided.
The opposition SPLM-IO is split between a faction led by acting chair Oyet Nathaniel, following the detention of its leader, Dr. Riek Machar, and a newer group led by peace minister Stephen Par Kuol.
The ruling SPLM party has said it recognizes Kuol’s faction as the legitimate partner in implementing the 2018 peace agreement, which has been weakened by ongoing conflict and delays in implementation.
South Sudan has not conducted an election since independence. The first nationwide vote was scheduled for 2015 but was derailed by the conflict that erupted in December 2013. The vote has been postponed repeatedly under the 2018 peace agreement, with the transitional government stating that the election will now take place in December 2026.