(JUBA) – President Salva Kiir Mayardit has appointed his daughter, Adut Salva Kiir, as Presidential Envoy on Special Programmes, a move that has generated fresh debate in political and public circles.
The announcement was made on Wednesday evening through the state owned South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC). The position has been vacant since February, when its previous holder, businessman Benjamin Bol Mel, was elevated to the Presidency, replacing Dr James Wani Igga as Vice President and Chair of the Economic Cluster.
Adut Salva Kiir, who also serves as the founder of the Adut Salva Kiir Foundation, will now take over a portfolio that is considered significant within the Presidency. In South Sudan, the Presidential Envoy on Special Programmes is tasked with handling urgent national priorities that require direct oversight from the Head of State.
The envoy’s work typically includes peacebuilding, humanitarian response and post conflict recovery. This involves close coordination with ministries, humanitarian agencies and development partners to address pressing issues such as resettlement of displaced persons, rehabilitation of war-affected communities and delivery of essential services in conflict-affected areas.
The office may also take charge of development projects championed by the Presidency, ranging from infrastructure rehabilitation to food security initiatives, youth engagement and women’s empowerment programmes. The envoy’s mandate is designed to provide political authority, fast track coordination and ensure that key programmes are not delayed by bureaucratic procedures.
Officials argue that such a role gives the Presidency a direct channel to push forward projects of national importance while also engaging international partners to mobilise resources. Djibouti, Uganda, Kenya and other neighbouring countries have previously maintained similar special envoy structures in their governments.
However, in South Sudan the position has often faced criticism for underperformance. During Bol Mel’s tenure, the envoy’s office was widely criticised for failing to deliver tangible results, particularly in the face of worsening humanitarian needs and weak service delivery across the country.
The appointment of Adut has therefore attracted attention, not only because she is the President’s biological daughter but also due to wider concerns about governance, accountability and the effectiveness of presidential appointees in addressing national challenges.
While supporters of the appointment argue that Adut could bring a fresh perspective and stronger personal commitment to sensitive programmes, critics view the move as an example of political favouritism at a time when South Sudan is still struggling with poverty, displacement and economic hardship.
The Presidency has not yet outlined Adut’s immediate priorities or explained whether new resources will be allocated to the office to address ongoing national challenges.
