President of the
Republic of South Sudan
Presidential Seal
Presidential Flag
Incumbent
Salva Kiir Mayardit
since 9 July 2011
StyleHis Excellency
TypeHead of state
Head of government
Member ofCabinet
ResidenceState House, Juba
SeatJuba
AppointerDirect popular vote
Term length4 years[1]
Constituting instrumentTransitional Consistution of South Sudan
PrecursorPresident of the Government of Southern Sudan
Formation9 July 2011
First holderSalva Kiir Mayardit
DeputyVice President of South Sudan
Salary45,922,800 SSP / 60,000 USD annually[2]
Websitewww.presidency.gov.ss
Politics of South Sudan
Constitution
Executive
Legislature
Judiciary
Administrative divisions
Elections
Foreign relations
Related topics

This article lists the heads of state of South Sudan since the establishment of the Southern Sudan Autonomous Region within Sudan in 1972.

The president of the Republic of South Sudan is the head of state and head of government of South Sudan. The president leads the executive branch of the Government of South Sudan and is the commander-in-chief of the South Sudan People's Defence Forces. The official residence of the president is State House, J1.

History of the office

The region of Southern Sudan (currently the independent republic of South Sudan) became autonomous for the first time, within Sudan, in 1972, through the Addis Ababa Agreement meant to end the First Sudanese Civil War, and its local government had five presidents until 1983, when the Sudanese central government revoked the autonomy. Autonomy was gained again in 2005, through the Comprehensive Peace Agreement meant to end the Second Sudanese Civil War, and the position of president of Southern Sudan was restored. Then, on 9 July 2011, South Sudan became independent and a new constitution was adopted.[1]

Term limits

Salva Kiir's term as elected president ended in 2015, but constitutional amendments of 2018 and Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) formed in 2020 extended his mandate until 2023.[3]

Titles of heads of state

Heads of state of South Sudan (1972–present)

(Dates in italics indicate de facto continuation of office)

No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death) 		Term of office Political party Elected
Took office Left office Time in office

Southern Sudan Autonomous Region (1972–1983)[edit]

1
Abel Alier
Abel Alier
(born 1933)		6 April 1972February 19785 years, 9 monthsSF–
2
Joseph Lagu
Joseph Lagu
(born 1929)		February 197812 July 19791 year, 5 monthsSANU–
3
Peter Gatkuoth
Peter Gatkuoth
(1938–2010)		12 July 197930 May 1980323 daysIndependent–
(1)
Abel Alier
Abel Alier
(born 1933)		30 May 19805 October 19811 year, 128 daysSF–
4
Gismalla Abdalla Rassas
Gismalla Abdalla Rassas
(1932–2013)		5 October 198123 June 1982261 daysIndependent–
5
Joseph James Tombura
Joseph James Tombura
(1929–1992)		23 June 19825 June 1983347 daysSANU–
Autonomy abolished (5 June 1983 – 9 July 2005)

Southern Sudan Autonomous Region (2005–2011)[edit]

6
John Garang
John Garang
(1945–2005)
[a]		9 July 200530 July 2005 †21 daysSPLM–
–
Salva Kiir Mayardit
Salva Kiir Mayardit
(born 1951)
Acting		30 July 200511 August 200549 daysSPLM–
7
Salva Kiir Mayardit
Salva Kiir Mayardit
(born 1951)		11 August 20059 July 20115 years, 332 daysSPLM2010

Republic of South Sudan (2011–present)[edit]

(7)
Salva Kiir Mayardit
Salva Kiir Mayardit
(born 1951)		9 July 2011Incumbent12 years, 247 daysSPLM–

Note: The President of South Sudan was also First Vice President of the Sudanese national government until 9 July 2011.

Timeline

Salva Kiir MayarditJohn GarangJoseph James TomburaGismalla Abdalla RassasPeter GatkuothJoseph LaguAbel Alier

Incoming election

Main article: 2024 South Sudanese general election

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Died in a crash of the Ugandan Mil Mi-17 presidential helicopter.

References

  1. ^ a b "South Sudan to adopt new constitution, claims Abyei". af.reuters.com. Archived from the original on 27 September 2015. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  2. ^ "Kiir, Machar acquire millions as conflict rages in S Sudan - Daily Nation". www.nation.co.ke.
  3. ^ Cook, Candace; Siegle, Joseph. "Circumvention of Term Limits Weakens Governance in Africa". Africa Center for Strategic Studies.

External links

Presidents of South Sudan
South Sudan articles
Heads of state and government of Africa
Categories