A South Sudanese human rights activist has voiced strong concerns over the recent appointment of Adut Salva Kiir, daughter of President Salva Kiir Mayardit, as Presidential Envoy for Special Programmes.
The appointment, announced on Wednesday, places Ms. Adut Salva in a prominent national role, succeeding Vice President Benjamin Bol Mel, who previously held the position in 2023. The move marks her formal entry into the country’s political and diplomatic arena.
Ter Manyang Gatwech, Executive Director of Centre for Peace and Advocacy (CPA) described the decision as deeply troubling, citing concerns over transparency, meritocracy, and nepotism.
“This appointment raises serious questions about the principles of merit-based recruitment and equal access to public employment opportunities,” Gatwech said.
He added that in a country still working to strengthen democratic institutions and combat corruption, placing family members in influential public roles sends the wrong signal.
“Public positions are not personal entitlements, nor should they be used to consolidate family or ethnic power,” the activist stated.
Gatwech argues that appointments to government positions should follow transparent, competitive, and inclusive processes, reflecting the nation’s diversity and talent. He warned that such decisions could undermine public trust in institutions and reinforce a system where connections matter more than competence.
“By appointing his daughter without public vetting or demonstrated qualifications, President Kiir risks eroding accountability and fairness,” he said.
Gatwech is calling on the president to reconsider the appointment and further urged the government to establish clear guidelines and accountability mechanisms to guard against nepotism and ensure equitable access to public service opportunities.
“Only through fairness, transparency, and justice, can we build a government that truly serves its people,” he concluded. There has been no official response yet from the Office of the President regarding the criticism.
