Kiir appoints new Council of States speaker seven months after dismissal

2026-03-13 - 13:26

President Salva Kiir Mayardit has appointed a new speaker for the Council of States, seven months after the former speaker was relieved of his duties in August 2025, according to an official source. The Council of States is the upper chamber of the national legislature and works alongside the National Legislative Assembly. According to a decree dated March 9, President Kiir appointed Daniel Akot Akot, a member of the opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition, as the new speaker of the Council of States. He replaces former speaker Deng Deng Akon, who was dismissed from the position in August 2025. The First Deputy Speaker of the Council of States, Mary Ayen Mijok, who has also been serving as the acting speaker, congratulated the new speaker. According to First Deputy Speaker Ayen, the new speaker has assumed an important responsibility in service of the nation.