President Kiir removes long-serving cabinet minister Lomuro

President Salva Kiir Mayardit has removed Dr. Martin Elia Lomuro as Minister of Cabinet Affairs after two decades in office and appointed Ambassador Bol Wek Agoth to replace him.

In separate decrees, Kiir appointed Angelo Ngot Mayar as caretaker governor of Warrap State and named former Vice President Hussein Abdelbagi Akol presidential adviser on international relations and foreign affairs, replacing Costello Garang Riiny.

Lomuro’s removal comes a day after he issued an order assigning acting ministers to national ministries without caretaker ministers. The October 20 order was intended to maintain administrative oversight across government institutions.

Lomuro has served in several senior government positions since 2005. He began as Minister of Agriculture and Forestry in the former Government of Southern Sudan before moving to the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs in 2007. He assumed the Cabinet Affairs portfolio in 2008 under President Kiir and remained in the position through successive administrations.

He retained the portfolio following the formation of the caretaker government in September 2026.

Agoth’s appointment follows his tenure as governor of Warrap State, a position he assumed in June 2025 after the removal of Magok Magok.

During his tenure as governor, Agoth pledged to prioritise peace, security and reconciliation among communities affected by recurring communal violence in the state.

Before becoming governor, Agoth served as South Sudan’s ambassador to Norway and held senior positions in the Office of the President, including chief of state protocol and acting chief administrator.

Meanwhile, Angelo Ngot Mayar has been appointed caretaker governor of Warrap State following Agoth’s departure from the position.

Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, who previously served as vice president, has been appointed presidential adviser on international relations and foreign affairs, replacing Costello Garang Riiny.