The move has sparked controversy as the state was allocated to Machar’s Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) under the 2018 peace agreement.
Sherif, however, belongs to a splinter faction of the SPLM-IO led by former Peace Minister Stephen Par Kuol, who in April declared himself interim chairman of the party until Machar’s release.
Machar loyalists have rejected Par’s leadership, accusing him of being manipulated by Kiir’s SPLM-IG following his brief detention in March by suspected National Security Service agents amid an intensified crackdown on Machar’s allies.
Sherif took the oath of office on Wednesday during a swearing-in ceremony administered by Chief Justice Dr. Benjamin Baak Deng at the Presidential Palace in Juba.
It is a second reward to Par’s allies in Western Bahr el Ghazal following the elevation of former Governor Sarah Cleto to the Minister of Health position, replacing Yolanda Awel Deng, another loyalist to Machar.
Alongside Sherif, other officials sworn in included Dr. Joseph Geng Akec as Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Mary Nawai Martin as Minister of Youth and Sports, Dr. Wek Mamer Kuol as Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, and Sarah Peter Nyot as Counsel General in the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
In his remarks, Kiir urged the new governor to prioritize reconciliation and community peacebuilding in Western Bahr el Ghazal, a state long plagued by political tensions and insecurity.
The president also directed Justice Minister Geng Akec to spearhead reforms aimed at ensuring fair and impartial justice across the country. “From today, serve the people and not yourself,” Kiir reminded the officials, stressing that leadership is not a privilege but an opportunity to serve.
Kiir’s appeal for integrity, accountability, and people-centered governance reflects his administration’s stated goal of reviving public trust and advancing peace and development in South Sudan.
The reshuffle comes at a delicate moment for the Revitalized Peace Agreement, with Machar still under detention and divisions within his party deepening. Critics argue that Kiir’s decision to appoint a governor from a breakaway SPLM-IO faction undermines the spirit of power-sharing, while his allies insist the changes are necessary to stabilize the state and strengthen governance.
