Kiir Urges New Central Equatoria Governor to End Land Grabbing

(Juba) – President Salva Kiir Mayardit has officially sworn in Lt. Gen. Rabi Mujung Emmanuel as the new Governor of Central Equatoria State (CES), urging him to lead with integrity, promote national unity, and address long-standing land disputes and insecurity. The directive was issued during a swearing-in ceremony held at the State House on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.

The President instructed Governor Mujung to coordinate closely with security agencies to ensure peace and stability in the state, particularly in the capital city, Juba. Kiir emphasized the urgent need to distribute land fairly to accommodate the city’s fast-growing population and warned that the issue of illegal land acquisition continues to fuel community tensions and threaten stability.

President Kiir also highlighted the danger of ethnic divisions, urging South Sudanese citizens to see one another as partners in the shared goal of building a peaceful and unified nation. He directed the CES government to prioritise rehabilitation of Juba’s deteriorating road infrastructure, which he described as essential for service delivery and sustainable development.

In response, Governor Mujung expressed his commitment to implementing the President’s directives, emphasizing that his administration would focus on peacebuilding and socio-economic development. Addressing a large crowd at a reception ceremony at the State Government Secretariat in Juba, Mujung acknowledged the efforts of previous governors and called for collective action from state officials, communities, and stakeholders.

Governor Mujung said maintaining the welfare of public servants was an urgent concern but cautioned against normalising corruption. “This challenge should never justify acts of corruption,” he said, adding that trust from citizens and development partners must be preserved through transparency and accountability.

Mujung outlined infrastructure, health, and education as priority areas for immediate intervention. He urged the state to diversify its economic base beyond local taxes and levies by attracting investors and working with local and international partners. “We will work transparently to ensure that these partnerships benefit our people,” he stated.

On security, Mujung pledged to work with government institutions and the organized forces to address pockets of violence within the state. He also reiterated his readiness to collaborate with officials across government structures to deliver on the President’s vision.

The Speaker of the Central Equatoria State Transitional Legislative Assembly, Rt. Hon. Peter Wani Elia, echoed the Governor’s message, urging strong cooperation between the executive and legislature to deliver services to the public. He pledged the Assembly’s support to Governor Mujung’s leadership.

Deputy Governor Paulino Lukudu Obede welcomed the new appointment, describing Mujung as a fitting successor to former Governor Gen. Augustino Jadalla Kamilo Wani. Lukudu called on holdout armed groups to lay down their weapons and support peaceful development efforts. “Let us invest in unity, not division,” he said.

Former Vice President of South Sudan, Dr. Prof. James Wani Igga, also praised Mujung’s leadership credentials, describing him as a nationalistic figure with a history of service since the liberation struggle. He urged the new CES administration to act decisively against land grabbing, insecurity, and herder-farmer conflicts, which continue to undermine peace and development across the region.