By Lodu William Odiya
The Minister of Presidential Affairs, Africano Mande Gedima, has clarified that the newly introduced protocols governing the communication of presidential appointments and reliefs were not intended to reject citizens access to information or undermine media freedom.
In a statement issued Friday, Mande said the reforms, outlined in Circular No. 01/2026 dated January 8, are aimed at professionalizing the dissemination of government decisions, strengthening security around presidential instruments, and easing the burden on the South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) by shifting certain institutional notifications to a direct, protocol-based system.
“Contrary to some interceptions, this directive is not intended to bar access to information or infringe upon the constitutional rights of citizens. Far from it” the statement partly read.
According to the clarification, only highly scrutinized and trusted personnel within the Office of the President will handle and deliver presidential instruments to ensure a secure and uncompromised chain of custody.
Mande noted that an official registry is currently maintained at the Office of the President as a temporary constitutional safeguard, pending the establishment of an Official Government Gazette.
He added that this registry serves as the authoritative record to prevent forgery or manipulation, alongside the existing official website.
The minister also said the new system is designed to eliminate delays and unauthorized leaks that previously occurred during the gap between the signing of decrees and their traditional 8:00 pm broadcast on SSBC.
“Historically, the gap between the signing of decree and its 8:00PM broadcast created a window for misinformation. This protocol replaces that delay with immediate institutional notification. By removing these delays, the concerned institution can act on the decisions immediately once the instruments are delivered”, he stated in the statement.
Authorized officials, including speakers, ministers and governors, are now required to submit a consolidated compliance report within 48 hours confirming that presidential directives have been implemented. Security organs will work with relevant institutions to verify compliance and ensure that presidential decisions are neither obstructed nor altered.
Mande underscored that the protocol applies only to high-level institutional transitions. Other categories of officials not specified in the circular will continue to be announced through SSBC in line with established practice.
The minister reaffirmed that once authorized officials disseminate information, media houses remain free to report on presidential decisions.
“Once relevant authorized official has disseminated the information, media houses are entirely free to report on these decisions. The protocol organizes the announcement; it does not restrict the media’s right to inform the public, rather the category of the public restricted are individuals from the organized forces from rendering opinions on presidential appointments and relief” he highlighted in the statement.
He also announced that the government will urgently move to establish the Official Government Gazette and enhance the existing official website, in coordination with the ministries of Justice and Constitutional Affairs and Information.
The move is intended to ensure all presidential decrees are formally published, providing legal certainty and reinforcing the rule of law.
Mande emphasized that the measures are meant to align South Sudan’s administrative processes with constitutional authority, national security considerations, and international standards of governance.