South Sudan’s presidency has grown since the region gained autonomy in 1972 through the Addis Ababa Agreement, which ended the First Sudanese Civil War.
Five presidents led Southern Sudan’s autonomous government until 1983 when Sudan revoked its autonomy. In 2005, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement restored autonomy, and the presidency returned.
On July 9, 2011, South Sudan gained independence, adopting a new constitution. Salva Kiir became the first president and has remained in office since then.
Though his term officially ended in 2015, constitutional changes and political agreements extended his mandate, with the latest extension lasting until 2024.
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Complete List Of South Sudan Presidents From 1972 Till Date
No | Name | Tenure | Political Party |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Abel Alier | 6 April 1972 – February 1978 | SF |
2 | Joseph Lagu | February 1978 – 12 July 1979 | SANU |
3 | Peter Gatkuoth | 12 July 1979 – 30 May 1980 | Independent |
4 | Abel Alier | 30 May 1980 – 5 October 1981 | SF |
5 | Gismalla Abdalla Rassas | 5 October 1981 – 23 June 1982 | Independent |
6 | Joseph James Tombura | 23 June 1982 – 5 June 1983 | SANU |
Autonomy abolished | 5 June 1983 – 9 July 2005 | ||
7 | John Garang | 9 July 2005 – 30 July 2005 † | SPLM |
Salva Kiir Mayardit (Acting) | 30 July 2005 – 11 August 2005 | SPLM |
|
8 | Salva Kiir Mayardit | 11 August 2005 – 9 July 2011 | SPLM |
Salva Kiir Mayardit | 9 July 2011 – Present | SPLM |
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Who Was South Sudan’s First President?
Abel Alier was the first president of the Southern Sudan Autonomous Region, serving from April 6, 1972, to February 1978. The Addis Ababa Agreement ended the First Sudanese Civil War and granted autonomy to the southern region.
Born in 1933 in Bor, now part of South Sudan, Alier pursued education both locally and abroad, studying law in the United Kingdom.
Alier joined politics in 1968 when he was elected to the National Parliament of Sudan, representing Bor South Constituency.
In 1972, after the Addis Ababa Agreement, he was appointed head of the Southern Provisional High Executive Council. During his nearly six-year tenure, Alier strived to build a stable government in southern Sudan.
The region was divided into three provinces: Equatoria, Bahr al-Ghazal, and Greater Upper Nile, with Juba as its capital.
He developed and managed the challenges of a newly autonomous region, but tensions between northern and southern Sudan made this difficult.
After leaving office in 1978, Alier continued to serve in various political roles, including as Vice President of Sudan from 1971 to 1982.
However, autonomy for southern Sudan was revoked in 1983, leading to the Second Sudanese Civil War. This conflict lasted for over 20 years and eventually led to South Sudan’s independence in 2011.
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Who Is The Current South Sudan’s President?
Salva Kiir Mayardit is the current president of South Sudan and has held the position since the country gained independence on July 9, 2011.
Born on September 13, 1951, in Akon, Sudan (now part of South Sudan), Kiir has been a key figure in the country’s political history.
His political career began during the Second Sudanese Civil War when he emerged as a leader in the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM). He joined the SPLM in 1983 and rose in rank because of his leadership and dedication to the movement’s goals.
After the Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed in 2005, which ended the long civil war between the north and south of Sudan, Kiir became the First Vice President of Sudan and the President of Southern Sudan.
When South Sudan officially became an independent nation in 2011, Kiir was chosen as its first president. At the beginning of his presidency, there was hope for progress and development.
However, political tensions soon escalated, and in December 2013, a conflict broke out between Kiir and his former deputy, Riek Machar.
This power struggle led to a civil war seen by ethnic violence and a massive humanitarian crisis. The conflict resulted in around 388,000 deaths and displaced millions of people.
Despite signing a peace agreement in 2018 with Machar and other groups, South Sudan has faced ongoing challenges in achieving stability.
The implementation of the agreement has been slow, with elections postponed to December 2026. Kiir’s leadership has also been criticized for corruption and a lack of inclusivity in governance.
His declining health has raised questions about the future leadership of South Sudan as the country prepares for its next elections.
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Who Are The Vice President Of South Sudan?
South Sudan currently has five vice presidents: Riek Machar, James Wani Igga, Taban Deng Gai, Hussein Abdelbagi, and Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior.
The First Vice President is Riek Machar, a notable political figure in South Sudan. He has been in this role since February 2020 as part of a peace agreement to stabilize the nation.
Born in Leer, Unity State, Machar studied engineering and earned a PhD in mechanical engineering. His political career has been eventful, including leading the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO).
Machar has been involved in both conflict and peace negotiations. James Wani Igga is the Second Vice President. He is an experienced politician and was previously the Speaker of the National Assembly.
Igga has deep ties to South Sudan’s independence struggle and focuses on promoting peace and development in the country. Taban Deng Gai is another Vice President who has held several government roles, including Minister of Mining.
Although he initially supported Riek Machar, he later worked closely with President Salva Kiir after Machar’s removal in 2016. Gai often acts as a mediator to help keep the government stable.
Hussein Abdelbagi is also a Vice President and is recognized for his efforts to unite the different ethnic groups in South Sudan. He works on peace initiatives to address the country’s ongoing conflicts and promote reconciliation.
Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior is the only female Vice President. She is a strong advocate for women’s rights and is dedicated to peacebuilding.
Nyandeng is a key figure in promoting inclusiveness in South Sudanese politics and ensuring that women have a voice in leadership.
