President of South Sudan

President of South Sudan is the head of state and head of government of the Republic of South Sudan, serving as the chief executive and commander-in-chief of the South Sudan People's Defence Forces. The office was established upon the country's independence from the Republic of the Sudan on 9 July 2011, with Salva Kiir Mayardit becoming its first holder. The president wields significant executive authority under the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan and operates from the State House in the national capital of Juba.

History

The presidency emerged directly from the office of the President of the Government of Southern Sudan, established under the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement that ended the Second Sudanese Civil War. This agreement created the Autonomous Government of Southern Sudan, with John Garang as its first president until his death, after which Salva Kiir Mayardit assumed the role. Following the 2011 South Sudanese independence referendum, where an overwhelming majority voted for secession, Kiir became the first president of the sovereign state. The early years of the presidency have been dominated by internal conflict, notably the South Sudanese Civil War that began in 2013 between forces loyal to Kiir and those of his former vice president, Riek Machar, leading to the signing of multiple peace agreements like the 2015 Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan and the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan.

Powers and duties

The president holds extensive powers as outlined in the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan, including appointing the Vice President of South Sudan, ministers, state governors, and justices of the Supreme Court of South Sudan with legislative approval. As commander-in-chief, the president has supreme authority over the South Sudan People's Defence Forces, the National Police Service (South Sudan), and all other security organs. The office is responsible for formulating national policy, assenting to or vetoing bills passed by the Transitional National Legislative Assembly, declaring a state of emergency, conferring honors, and representing the state in international forums such as the United Nations, the African Union, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development.

Election and term of office

The president is elected by popular vote for a five-year term and is limited to two terms in office according to the constitution. The electoral process is administered by the National Elections Commission (South Sudan), though no direct presidential election has been held since independence; the 2011 ascension was by virtue of the independence declaration, and subsequent terms have been governed by transitional agreements. The planned elections, repeatedly delayed due to conflict and logistical challenges, are a key provision of the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan. A presidential candidate must be a South Sudanese citizen by birth, at least 40 years of age, of sound mind, and must not have been convicted of a criminal offense involving dishonesty.

List of presidents

Since independence, there has been one president: # Salva Kiir Mayardit (9 July 2011 – present). He previously served as President of the Autonomous Government of Southern Sudan from 2005. His tenure has been marked by the South Sudanese Civil War, the formation of a Transitional Government of National Unity, and ongoing implementation of the peace agreement. The office of the Vice President of South Sudan has been held by several figures, including Riek Machar and James Wani Igga, as part of power-sharing arrangements.

Official residence and symbols

The official residence and principal workplace of the president is the State House (also known as the Presidential Palace) located in Juba along the banks of the White Nile. Key national symbols associated with the office include the distinct Flag of the President of South Sudan, which features the national flag with a gold fringe and the presidential seal at the center, and the official Seal of the President of South Sudan, which incorporates the national coat of arms. The president is entitled to the style His Excellency and is protected by the elite Presidential Guard (South Sudan).