South Sudan’s President, Salva Kiir, has dismissed two senior officials after an embarrassing error in which a deceased individual was appointed to a panel tasked with overseeing discussions ahead of the country’s planned December elections.
The controversy arose after a presidential decree dated January 30 named Steward Soroba Budia as a member of the panel. However, local media quickly revealed that Budia, a member of the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP), had died five years earlier, triggering widespread ridicule on social media.
In a brief statement that did not provide reasons for the decision, the presidency announced the dismissal of Press Secretary David Amour Major and Valentino Dhel Maluet, the chief administrator at the Ministry of Presidential Affairs. The statement noted that President Kiir was “pleased” to relieve them of their duties and expressed his “profound gratitude” for their service. It was shared on the president’s official Facebook page and signed by the Minister of Presidential Affairs, Africano Mande Gedima.
Earlier on Monday, Amour had issued a press release explaining that the president’s office had depended entirely on the “accuracy and currency” of names submitted by stakeholders for inclusion on the panel. He acknowledged that inadequate verification by one of the stakeholders led to what he described as an “unfortunate administrative oversight,” though he did not identify the stakeholder. The UDP has also declined to comment.
It remains unclear whether Amour’s statement directly contributed to his dismissal, although speculation had been mounting that he would lose his position.
Budia was among the signatories to the 2018 peace agreement that ended years of conflict following South Sudan’s independence in 2011. President Kiir established the multi-party panel to help prepare the country for elections, but doubts persist over whether the vote will proceed amid ongoing instability.
Elections in South Sudan have been repeatedly postponed, with Kiir remaining in office since independence. According to the United Nations, more than 180,000 people have recently been displaced by renewed fighting, particularly in Jonglei state, where government forces are clashing with groups aligned to suspended Vice-President Riek Machar.
Machar, who is currently under house arrest, is facing charges including murder, treason, and crimes against humanity—allegations he denies. Both he and Kiir were meant to serve in a unity government formed under the 2018 peace deal that followed a five-year civil war sparked by a power struggle between the two leaders.
