By Ginaba Lino
In a government reshuffle, President Salva Kiir Mayardit has appointed Hon. Africano Mande Gedima as the new Minister of Presidential Affairs. The announcement was made Monday evening via a presidential decree read on the state-owned South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC). He succeeds Ambassador Chol Mawut Ajongo.
Hon. Mande previously served as the Commissioner-General of the South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA), where he was a central figure in efforts to bolster the country’s non-oil revenue collection and fiscal administration.
His move to the presidential affairs portfolio comes after President Kiir relieved him of his revenue authority duties in November 2024, appointing Simon Akuei Deng as his replacement. The SSBC announcement at the time did not provide a reason for the change.
Before his national roles, Africano Mande was the Governor of Maridi State, one of the 32 states established by a 2015 presidential decree, giving him extensive experience in state-level governance.
The Minister of Presidential Affairs holds a strategic position, responsible for coordinating activities between the presidency and other government ministries, overseeing national programs, and advising on key policy matters.
This appointment is viewed as part of President Kiir’s strategy to place seasoned administrators in critical roles amid ongoing economic and political challenges. Mande’s background in revenue management and public administration is expected to enhance executive coordination and support the implementation of national priorities.
Observers will be watching closely to see how he applies his fiscal and administrative expertise to his new, broader responsibilities.