New 48 Hour Limit Announced for Government Changes in Juba

(JUBA) – The Ministry of Presidential Affairs in South Sudan has issued a detailed clarification regarding new rules for how government appointments and removals are communicated.

Minister Africano Mande Gedima released the statement on 9 January 2026 to address public concerns and explain why the government is changing its long standing methods of sharing official decisions.

The new system aims to create a more professional and secure way to share government messages while ensuring that transitions of power are handled with proper care.

The government explained that any decision about an appointment or a dismissal is final once it has been signed by the President. No other person or office has the power to change or tamper with these signed documents.

The officials who receive these papers are only responsible for carrying out the orders and do not gain any new powers of their own to hire or fire people.

To keep the process safe, the President has ordered that only highly trusted and checked staff within the Office of the President can deliver these official documents. This is meant to make sure the papers do not fall into the wrong hands.

A key part of the new plan is the use of an Official Registry at the Office of the President. This registry acts as a temporary official record to prevent anyone from forging or changing documents until a full Government Gazette and a better website are set up.

The government wants to stop the delays that used to happen between the signing of a decree and its broadcast on the radio at 8:00 PM.

In the past, this time gap allowed false information to spread. Now, institutions will be told about decisions immediately so they can act right away without waiting for a public broadcast.

Under the new rules, senior officials such as Speakers, Ministers, and Governors must report back within 48 hours to confirm they have carried out the orders.

Security teams will work with these institutions to check that the reports are true and that nobody is blocking the President’s decisions.

While high level changes will now follow this direct system, other government roles will still be announced through the South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation as they were before.

The Minister also addressed concerns about the media and free speech. He stated that once an official has shared the news, media houses are completely free to report on the decisions.

However, the protocol does prevent members of the organized forces from giving their personal opinions on presidential appointments and removals. The government says its top priority is to establish a permanent and public legal record through the Official Government Gazette to ensure that all laws and decrees are published clearly for the people of South Sudan.