President Kiir urges newly sworn-in officials to serve citizens, not themselves
In his remarks, President Kiir underscored that the legitimacy of leaders rests on their service to the people, not on personal gain.
By Aguok Chok
President Salva Kiir has directed the newly sworn-in government officials to dedicate themselves to serving the people with integrity and responsibility.
“From today, serve the people and not yourself,” he said, calling on the officials to uphold honesty, integrity, and commitment in their work.
His remarks set a strong tone for accountability and public service as the officials take on their new roles.
Those sworn in include Dr. Joseph Geng Akec, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Mary Nawai Martin, Minister of Youth and Sports; Dr. Wek Mamer Kuol, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Sherif Daniel Sherif, Governor of Western Bahr El Ghazal State, and Sarah Peter Nyot, Counsel General in the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
The oath of office was administered by Chief Justice Dr. Benjamin Baak Deng.
President Kiir directed Dr. Joseph Geng Akec, the new Minister of Justice, to ensure that justice delivery is a priority for the people of South Sudan.
He urged him to reform the justice system so that it would become fair, impartial, and accessible to all citizens. “Justice must reach the people without discrimination. That is the duty of the Ministry of Justice,” Kiir said.
Meanwhile, to Sherif Daniel Sherif, the newly appointed Governor of Western Bahr El Ghazal State from the SPLM-IO party, Kiir emphasized the importance of peace and reconciliation in the state.
He called on Sherif to use his office to unite the divided communities and create an environment conducive to sustainable development.
“You have been entrusted with the responsibility to reconcile your people and restore peace. Without peace, there can be no development,” Kiir stressed.
Mary Nawai Martin, who now serves as Minister of Youth and Sports, was told to focus on programs that empower young people and promote sports as a unifying factor.
Dr. Wek Mamer Kuol, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, was reminded of the need to build cooperation between the executive and legislative branches, while Sarah Peter Nyot was tasked with strengthening the legal advisory functions within the Ministry of Justice.
In his remarks, President Kiir underscored that the legitimacy of leaders rests on their service to the people, not on personal gain. “Leadership is not about privilege. It is about responsibility. It is about the trust of the people,” he said.
By urging the new leaders to put the nation above self-interest, Kiir sought to inspire a shift toward people-centered governance.
As South Sudan continues to navigate challenges of peace, justice, and development, the performance of these officials will be closely watched. Their ability to deliver on the president’s message of service, unity, and integrity may well determine the success of the administration’s reform and peace-building agenda
