South Sudanese President Rectifies Appointment After Deceased Politician Named to Election Body

JUBA CITY, South Sudan – February 2, 2026 – The Office of the President of South Sudan has confirmed that an administrative error led to the inclusion of the late politician Steward Sorobo Budia in a recent Republican Order appointing members to the Leadership Body of Parties Signatory to the R-ARCSS and stakeholders for dialogue on election-related matters.

Steward Sorobo Budia, who passed away approximately five years ago, was a member of the United Democratic Party and a signatory to the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS). 

Despite his death, his name appeared in a January 30, 2026, order intended to formalize the selection of representatives involved in election discussions.

A press release issued by Ambassador David Amour Majur, the presidential press secretary, stated that the inclusion resulted from an oversight during the consultation process. 

“To be sure, the Office relied entirely on the accuracy and currency of the names submitted by the stakeholders during the formal consultative phase,” the statement read. 

“It is now evident that a thorough verification was not done by one of the stakeholders, resulting in this unfortunate administrative oversight.”

The Office of the President expressed regret over the error and indicated that immediate steps are being taken to correct the appointment order. Officials are awaiting resubmission of a replacement name from the relevant stakeholder group.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased,” the statement continued. 

“Moving forward, the Office will implement more stringent verification protocols to ensure that all stakeholder submissions meet the highest standards of accuracy.”

The incident has drawn attention to the procedural and administrative challenges involved in managing stakeholder appointments under South Sudan’s post-conflict political framework. 

The R-ARCSS provides the foundation for dialogue and political cooperation between multiple parties and interest groups in the country, and accuracy in appointments is critical to maintaining trust and legitimacy in the process.

Steward Sorobo Budia was a respected political figure in South Sudan. He served as Commissioner for Greater Yei and later as Minister of Information and Communication. 

At the time of his death, he led the United Democratic Party and was an active participant in the country’s peace processes, including the 2018 R-ARCSS negotiations. 

His legacy is remembered for contributions to political reconciliation and governance, making the administrative oversight particularly sensitive.

The Republican Order, which aimed to formalize a representative selection of political stakeholders for election dialogue, has underscored the importance of meticulous verification in South Sudan’s political administration. 

While the inclusion of a deceased individual was unintentional, it has prompted calls from some observers and civil society representatives for enhanced verification systems and transparency in appointments.

Analysts note that errors like these, while administrative in nature, carry symbolic significance. “In a country recovering from prolonged conflict, every appointment carries weight,” said political analyst Esther Ajok. 

“Even unintentional mistakes can affect perceptions of legitimacy, fairness, and respect for established political processes.”

Following the revelation, the Office of the President has pledged to strengthen protocols for cross-checking submitted names and ensuring that stakeholders provide accurate and current information. 

Officials confirmed that the error will be rectified before the next round of consultations on election-related matters, minimizing potential disruption to the political dialogue process.

The incident has also brought attention to the role of families of deceased leaders in South Sudanese politics. 

In a separate statement, Budia’s family expressed cultural and moral concerns about the inclusion of his name, emphasizing that posthumous appointments without family consent can be perceived as disrespectful. 

They have called for formal recognition of the oversight and assurances that similar mistakes will not recur.

“This matter is not just administrative—it touches on respect for the deceased and cultural norms in our society,” said James Boboya Edimond, representing Budia’s family. 

“We expect both public acknowledgment and proper measures to prevent recurrence.”