JUBA — President Salva Kiir’s office has issued a new directive establishing strict protocols for the communication and execution of presidential appointments and dismissals, effectively ending public media announcements of such decisions.
The directive, Circular No. 01/2026, issued through the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, introduces a confidential, institutionalized system for handling all personnel changes that fall under presidential prerogative. The order takes immediate effect.
Under the new policy, presidential decrees affecting appointments or removals will no longer be announced via the South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) or any other public media platform.
Instead, such decisions will be communicated through official letters delivered confidentially to the relevant authorities, including Speakers of legislative bodies, national ministers, or state governors, depending on jurisdiction.
The circular states that access to presidential decrees will be restricted strictly on a “need-to-know” basis, with only authorized officials permitted to handle or view the documents.
It further prohibits photographing, scanning, or posting any document bearing the President’s signature on social media or other public platforms, classifying such documents as privileged executive communications.
The responsibility for implementing presidential decisions now rests squarely with institutional heads, the circular said. Speakers, ministers, and governors are designated as the sole authorities empowered to formally effect changes within their respective institutions. The Office of the President will no longer serve individual officials or appointees directly.
Once a decree has been executed internally, the responsible authority must submit a consolidated compliance report to the Office of the President within 48 hours. This report will serve as both acknowledgment of receipt and confirmation that the administrative transition has been completed.
The directive also outlines procedures for swearing-in ceremonies. Officials constitutionally required to take an oath will assume office immediately upon being sworn in by the President, while those not requiring an oath will assume office upon receipt of their appointment letters.
To ensure enforcement, the circular empowers authorized authorities to initiate immediate legal or administrative action against any relieved official who refuses to vacate office or obstructs a handover.
It added that obstruction of a presidential decree is described as a grave administrative offense. The Office of the President will also maintain a central registry to track the distribution of all decrees and prevent unauthorized digital circulation.
All recipients are warned that unauthorized disclosure of presidential decisions to the media or the public will be treated as a serious breach of official protocol and handled in accordance with existing laws.
The directive applies broadly to officials appointed or removed by presidential authority, including members of parliament, senior civil servants, ambassadors, state officials, heads of independent commissions, and leaders of government institutions and parastatals.
The circular was issued in Juba on January 8, 2026, and signed by the Minister of Presidential Affairs. Authorities across all levels of government have been instructed to ensure full compliance with the new administrative order.
