By Alan Clement
The Secretariat General of Upper Nile State has certified that former Governor Lt. Gen. James Koang Chuol fully handed over all government assets in good condition in a rare and publicly documented instance of accountability within South Sudan’s governance system.
In an official document dated 21 October 2025 and stamped on 22 October, the Secretary General of Upper Nile State, Moses Ezekiel Bol, confirmed that Lt. Gen. James Koang Chuol “has handed-over all the Government properties to the State Secretariat General in good condition,” including the Presidential Villa and state vehicles.
The certification further states that the former governor is “now free from all the Government assets,” and was issued “for your acknowledgement.”
The clearance, issued from the Secretary General’s Office in Malakal, is widely viewed as a notable gesture of institutional transparency in a country where leadership transitions have often been marred by informal or disputed asset handovers.
“This is part of our commitment to institutional integrity,” said Moses Ezekiel Bol in a statement.
“The Secretariat General is mandated to ensure that all state assets are accounted for during leadership transitions. Lt. Gen. Koang Chuol fulfilled this obligation fully,” he added.
Civil society actors also welcomed the development, describing it as a meaningful step toward strengthening public trust in state institutions.
Activist Ter Manyang Gatwech, Executive Director of the Centre for Peace and Advocacy, praised the certification as a milestone. “I think for me this is a good move,” Ter told this outlet.
“The same office is showing the level of maturity and understanding. If you look at previous governors, nobody has done this before. I would like the rest of the governors to follow the important steps of the government of Upper Nile,” he urged.
Ter Manyang added that such documentation could influence governance culture across states, especially ahead of national consultations.
“I was told he may be given an opportunity during the 9th Governors’ Forum. I don’t know whether the forum will help or not, but I think it can change the experience,” he emphasized.
The activist further called on the current governors to emulate the example set by Lt. Gen. James Koang Chuol, now the Deputy Defense Minister.
“The current governor also should do the same when he leaves office, because this is part of accountability. If you are out and you hand over everything, it shows that you are very clean,” he stressed.
Although formal asset handovers remain uncommon in South Sudan, past efforts have underscored their importance.
A 2024 NGO Forum report noted persistent challenges in asset transfer and disposal across various sectors, warning that “complications related to asset handover have consistently increased in frequency and severity,” and calling for stronger policies and enforcement.
Similarly, during the 2021 Governors’ Forum chaired by President Salva Kiir and co-chaired by the now suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar, leaders emphasized the need for improved governance and accountability, including proper asset management.
However, only a few governors have received public certification of asset clearance similar to that awarded to Lt. Gen. Koang Chuol.
As South Sudan prepares for its first national elections, examples of documented procedural integrity such as the Upper Nile certification may increasingly shape public expectations around transparency, governance reforms, and responsible leadership transitions.