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By Ginaba Lino
President Salva Kiir Mayardit has appointed Hon. Africano Mande Gedima as the new Minister of Presidential Affairs, replacing Ambassador Chol Mawut Ajongo. The appointment was announced on Monday evening in a presidential decree read on the state-owned South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) as part of a wider government reshuffle.
Hon. Mande’s appointment follows his tenure as Commissioner-General of the South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA), the country’s main non-oil revenue collection body. He was appointed to the role by presidential decree and became a key figure in the government’s efforts to strengthen domestic revenue systems and fiscal administration.
In November 2024, President Kiir relieved Mande of his duties as Commissioner-General and named Simon Akuei Deng as his successor. The dismissal, announced through SSBC, did not specify the reasons for the leadership change.
Africano Mande previously served as Governor of Maridi State, one of the 32 states created under a presidential decree in December 2015. His earlier role in state administration gave him experience in governance and public sector management before moving to national-level responsibilities.
As Minister of Presidential Affairs, Mande takes charge of one of the most strategic portfolios in government, responsible for coordinating activities between the presidency and other ministries, overseeing national programs, and advising on key policy matters.
His appointment is seen as part of President Kiir’s effort to inject experienced administrators into critical positions at a time when the government faces mounting economic and political challenges. With his background in revenue management and governance, observers believe Mande will play an important role in strengthening coordination within the executive and supporting the implementation of national priorities.
How he adapts his administrative and fiscal management experience to the wider responsibilities of the Presidential Affairs Ministry will be closely watched in the coming months.