By Lodu William Odiya
President Salva Kiir Mayardit has appointed James Al-Taib Jazz Berapi as the governor of Western Equatoria State succeeding Alfred Futuyo, who was relieved of his duties in February.
The appointment was announced in a Presidential decree read on State-Run TV SSBC yesterday.
Futuyo was removed on February from his position as a governor of Western Equatoria State, four years after his appointment to the transitional government under South Sudan People Liberation movement in Opposition ticket.
Western Equatoria State had been under the stewardship of Deputy Governor Daniel Badagbu since February 2025.
The continued delay in the appointment of a new governor has been drawing increasing attention from local leaders, citizens, and traditional authorities who fear that prolonged uncertainty could derail the fragile peace efforts.
The continued absence of a substantive governor has sparked mounting calls from community leaders for urgent action.
In June this year, Communities across Western Equatoria State had appealed to President Salva Kiir to urgently appoint a substantive governor, five months after the removal of former Governor Futuyo Karaba.
However, President Kiir also made some reshuffles in the Transitional National Legislative Assembly.