President Kiir removes NEC head

President Salva Kiir Mayardit has removed Professor Abednego Akok Kacuol as Chairperson of the National Elections Commission (NEC), and appointed the commission’s Secretary-General, Gabriel Bol Deng Majok, as his replacement.

The change comes just three months before South Sudan’s scheduled general elections on December 22, 2026. No official reason has been given for Kacuol’s removal.

Kacuol has served as NEC chairperson since his first appointment in August 2012, overseeing the commission’s work and presiding over meetings of its Board of Commissioners.

Born in 1955 in Mapagic village, Yirol, in what is now Lakes State, Kacuol is an academic and public administrator with a long career in education and public service.

He earned a PhD in Public Administration from the University of Khartoum in 2003. He began teaching at the University of Juba in 1993 and became Dean of Student Affairs in 1997.

From 2000 to 2006, he served as Director of the Centre for Peace and Development Studies at the University of Juba. His career has also included work in peace, education and public administration, including service as UNESCO Chairperson for Peace and Deputy Chairperson of the University of Juba.

Kacuol has represented the NEC in national and international engagements, with his role focused on supervising the commission and supporting its mandate to strengthen the democratic process in South Sudan.

His removal now brings a change of leadership to the electoral body at a critical stage of preparations for the December elections.

Gabriel Bol Deng Majok, who previously served as NEC Secretary-General, takes over as chairperson as the commission continues preparations for voter registration, civic education and the conduct of the scheduled polls.