(JUBA) – President Salva Kiir Mayardit officially relieved Eng. Deng Lual Wol and appointed Dr. Chol Deng Thon as the new Undersecretary of the Ministry of Petroleum on 25 November 2025. Dr. Chol was received by ministry staff in a formal ceremony marking the transition.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Chol emphasised that public service is a responsibility, not a privilege, and that effective leadership requires teamwork across the ministry, the South Sudan Audit Chamber, national security, and police departments. “We are all here to serve the people of South Sudan under the leadership of His Excellency, President Salva Kiir,” he said.
Dr. Chol acknowledged the sector’s recent challenges, including operational disruptions in Blocks 5A, 1, 2, and 4 due to issues in Sudan. Despite these setbacks, he noted that ministry staff and Joint Operating Companies maintained the oil flow to the marine terminal in Port Sudan through dedication and coordinated effort.
Looking ahead, Dr. Chol outlined key priorities for the petroleum sector, including the establishment of a domestic refinery to achieve self reliance in petroleum products and the development of alternative routes for both petroleum and agricultural exports from Upper Nile and other regions. He highlighted that the petroleum industry remains central to South Sudan’s economic development and diversification efforts.
The handover ceremony also included a formal farewell for the outgoing Undersecretary, Eng. Deng Lual Wol. The transition was described as smooth and productive, reinforcing continuity in leadership and commitment to addressing critical issues in the sector, according to a statement from the ministry.
Key Petroleum Sector Handover Details – November 2025
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Outgoing Undersecretary | Eng. Deng Lual Wol |
| Incoming Undersecretary | Dr. Chol Deng Thon |
| Date of Handover | 25 November 2025 |
| Key Priorities | 1. Establish domestic refinery 2. Develop alternative transport routes for petroleum and agricultural products 3. Strengthen teamwork and operational oversight |
| Sector Challenges | Operational disruptions in Blocks 5A, 1, 2, 4 due to cross border issues |
| Strategic Focus | Self reliance in fuel, economic diversification, petroleum led development |