February 4, 2026 | SUNTV Global Channel | News
South Sudan President Salva Kiir has dismissed two senior officials following a major embarrassment that saw a man who died five years ago appointed to a national election committee.
Those relieved of their duties are the President’s Press Secretary, David Amour Major, and the Chief Administrator at the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, Valentino Dhel Maluet, according to an official statement from the presidency.
The sackings followed a presidential decree issued on January 30, which listed Steward Soroba Budia as a member of a high-level panel mandated to spearhead consultations on South Sudan’s electoral process. However, local media later revealed that Budia had been deceased for half a decade.
The revelation sparked widespread ridicule and criticism across social media platforms, with citizens and commentators questioning how such a glaring oversight could occur within the Office of the President.
Reacting to the backlash, the presidency said it had acted swiftly after discovering the error. The statement explained that the Office of the President relied on the “accuracy and currency” of names submitted by various stakeholders for inclusion in the committee.
The incident has renewed concerns about administrative lapses within South Sudan’s government as the country continues preparations toward a long-delayed electoral transition.
