Women’s Forum Welcomes Appointment of Female Commissioner for Yambio County

(YAMBIO COUNTY) – President Salva Kiir Mayardit has issued a series of republican decrees relieving and appointing multiple officials across the Western Equatoria State government. The changes, announced on Sunday, affect state ministers, independent commission members, and county commissioners.

Hon. Modi Enosa Mbaraza has been appointed as the new Commissioner of Yambio County. She previously served as the Executive Director of the Young Women Christian Association, where she worked in partnership with Oxfam in South Sudan on education and peacebuilding programmes.

The South Sudanese Women Intellectuals Forum issued a statement congratulating Hon. Modi Enosa Mbaraza on her appointment. The forum described the appointment as a well deserved recognition of her long standing dedication to public service and community development.

Hon. Modi Mbaraza Enosa has devoted decades to serving the people of South Sudan, working consistently to establish, support, and deliver developmental initiatives and essential services across the country.

Her commitment has taken her to international platforms, where she has championed women’s empowerment programmes and mobilised resources for initiatives focused on strengthening women’s capacities and improving their livelihoods.

In recognition of her efforts and transformative impact, she received an award from the South Sudanese Women Intellectuals Forum. The award noted her leadership, her advocacy for women, and her dedication to uplifting communities throughout South Sudan.

In her role as Executive Director of the Young Women Christian Association, Hon. Modi Enosa Mbaraza explained the achievements and successes of the organisation’s partnership with Oxfam during a training session held in Juba for all partners in 2021.

Under the Danida strategic partnership, Oxfam implements an education programme in Rumbek, Juba, and Pibor, while a peacebuilding programme runs in Rumbek and Juba. Strengthening the capacity of civil society organisations is a component covered in both programmes.

The decrees, numbered 169/2026 and 170/2026, removed several state ministers from their positions.

Those relieved include Hon. Elia Richard Box, Minister of Roads and Bridges, Hon. Charles Gambori, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Hon. Gibson Bullen Wande, Minister of Education and Instruction, Hon. Alison Barnaba Kisanga, Minister of Local Government and Law Enforcement, Hon. Lethecia Ambrose, Minister of Animal Resources, Fisheries and Tourism, Hon. Renzi James Renzi, Minister of Housing, Lands and Public Utilities, and Hon. James Abdallah, Minister of Health.

In the state independent commissions, Hon. Joromo Kumba was relieved as Chairperson of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, and Hon. Paul Awari was removed as Deputy Chairperson of the HIV/AIDS Commission.

The decrees also relieved four county commissioners. Hon. Angelo Bakote Mboringba was removed as Commissioner of Yambio County, Hon. Abel Sudan as Commissioner of Ezo County, Hon. Charles Koro Elikana as Commissioner of Mundri East County, and Hon. Mathew Mabenge as Commissioner of Tambura County. All the relieved officials were members of the SPLM.

New appointments were announced for the vacant positions. Hon. Nama Edward Bukulu was named Minister of Health, Hon. Abel Sudan was moved to Minister of Local Government and Law Enforcement, Hon. Patrick Riruyo was appointed Minister of Education and Instruction, Hon. Samuel Simon Zigizo was named Minister of Animal Resources, Fisheries and Tourism, Hon. Gibson Bullen Wande was reassigned as Minister of Housing, Lands and Public Utilities, Hon. James Adu was appointed Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, and Hon. Manasseh Doboya was named Minister of Roads and Bridges.

For the independent commissions, Hon. Robert Raphael Ruati was appointed Chairperson of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, and Hon. Elizabeth Sungu Dabi was named Deputy Chairperson of the HIV/AIDS Commission. All new appointees were identified as SPLM members, with the exception of the Minister of Education and Instruction and the Minister of Roads and Bridges, whose party affiliations were not specified in the decree.

Alongside Hon. Modi Enosa Mbaraza as Commissioner of Yambio County, Hon. Zaza William Hai Peter was appointed Commissioner of Ezo County, Hon. Daite Mathew Bakiet as Commissioner of Mundri East County, and Hon. James Mupaya as Commissioner of Tambura County.

The decrees were confirmed by the Office of the Governor of Western Equatoria State.