(PIBOR) – The Chief Administrator of the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA), Gola Boyoi Gola, has dismissed the entire cabinet he inherited, including all ministers, advisors, and the Pibor County Commissioner. The decision, announced through a series of decrees broadcast on local station Pibor 90.3 FM on Monday, marks the beginning of a sweeping restructuring under his renewed leadership.
Gola, who was recently reappointed to the post, acted swiftly to dissolve the existing leadership team put in place by his predecessor. The only officials appointed so far are John Hakim Tenychar as Director of Protocol in the Office of the Chief Administrator and Khadir Yassin Bashir as his deputy.
In an interview, Tenychar confirmed that additional appointments will follow shortly.
“Gola is consulting, and he will name a new cabinet to replace those sacked very soon,” he said.
The mass dismissal affected a wide range of government officials across both the advisory and ministerial levels, as well as the leadership of Pibor County. Those relieved of their duties include:
| Advisors Dismissed | Portfolio |
|---|---|
| Abraham Ngacho Thanko | Advisor for Political Affairs |
| James Kongkong | Advisor for Security |
| Alfred Omot Agada | Advisor for Peace and Reconciliation |
| Nura Stephen Lokine | Advisor for Gender |
| James Walanyang | Special Advisor |
No official reason was provided for the mass dismissal, but analysts see the move as part of a wider plan by Gola to reassert authority and implement fresh leadership across GPAA institutions.
| Ministers Dismissed | Ministry |
|---|---|
| Peter Simon Ajiny | Local Government and Law Enforcement |
| Nyinginga Okanho Kiro | Information and Communication |
| Simon Logocho Gain | Finance and Economic Planning |
| James Omot Okach | Agriculture |
| Simon Bala Mathowoch | Physical Infrastructure |
| Paul Barbolo Menalem | Mining, Wildlife Conservation, and Tourism |
| Korok Nyal Choma | General Education and Instruction |
| Achon John Kolobeyo | Health and Environment |
| William Lotidang | Labour, Public Service, and Human Resource |
| Elizabeth Kumen Teny | Gender, Child, and Social Welfare |
| Abraham Kelang Jiji | Youth, Culture, and Sports |
Gola’s actions come at a time when local administration in the Greater Pibor region is under increasing pressure to improve service delivery, address insecurity, and strengthen coordination with both state and national levels. Observers suggest the shake-up may allow space for new appointments that better reflect current political priorities or local needs.
The GPAA, which holds special administrative status in South Sudan, has been central to several national peace and governance processes, with its leadership playing key roles in both local stability and intercommunal dialogue.
| Other Official Dismissed | Position |
|---|---|
| John Gain Thagono | Pibor County Commissioner |
The Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) is a special administrative unit in South Sudan. It was established as part of peace and power sharing efforts between the national government and the Murle-led armed opposition group known as the South Sudan Democratic Movement/Army (SSDM/A) Cobra Faction. It is not a state, but it enjoys a status similar to a state, with special autonomy in certain areas.
GPAA was created to help resolve longstanding political, social, and developmental grievances among communities in the former Pibor County, mainly the Murle, Anyuak, Jie, and Kachipo. The aim was to grant them more control over local affairs and reduce marginalisation by the central government.
While GPAA is not constitutionally listed as one of South Sudan’s 10 states, it is treated as a distinct region with self governing powers in local governance, budget allocation, education, health, and security coordination. It reports directly to the national presidency rather than to a state governor or state legislature.
Key Leadership Positions in GPAA
| Position | Role and Powers |
|---|---|
| Chief Administrator | Equivalent to a state governor; the top executive authority in GPAA. Appointed by the President of South Sudan. Oversees all governance, security, and development programmes. |
| Deputy Chief Administrator | Supports the Chief Administrator and acts in their absence. May oversee specific portfolios. |
| Cabinet Ministers | Appointed by the Chief Administrator. They manage sectors like health, education, finance, infrastructure, agriculture, and gender affairs. |
| Advisors | Appointed to provide technical and political guidance to the Chief Administrator in areas such as peace, reconciliation, security, and political affairs. |
| County Commissioners | GPAA is divided into several counties, each led by a commissioner who manages local administration and reports to the Chief Administrator. |
| Traditional and Community Leaders | Play a strong advisory role. They influence decisions on peacebuilding, land issues, and intercommunal dialogue. |
Counties within GPAA
As of 2025, GPAA consists of the following counties:
| County | Major Communities |
|---|---|
| Pibor | Murle |
| Gumuruk | Murle |
| Likuangole | Murle |
| Verteth | Kachipo (Suri) |
| Boma | Anyuak, Jie, Murle |
Who Appoints the GPAA Leadership?
| Position | Appointing Authority |
|---|---|
| Chief Administrator | President of South Sudan |
| Ministers and Advisors | Chief Administrator |
| County Commissioners | Chief Administrator (in consultation with communities or national presidency) |
Unlike the states, GPAA currently does not have a functioning legislative assembly. Instead, decisions are made through executive decrees by the Chief Administrator, often in consultation with community elders and national authorities. However, reforms and peace agreements have called for more representative structures, and pressure is growing for a local legislative council to be established.
