Kiir moves Makuei to Parliamentary Affairs in latest cabinet reshuffle

The announcement, made through a Republican Decree on state broadcast SSBC, will see the prolific yet outspoken minister link the executive with the National Transitional Legislative Assembly 

By Emmanuel Mandella

President Salva Kiir Mayardit has announced a cabinet reshuffle, transferring veteran politician Michael Makuei Lueth from the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs to the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, and appointed Wek Mamer Kuol as new Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.

The changes were announced through a Republican Decree broadcast on the state-owned South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC), marking one of the most notable adjustments within the cabinet as the country advances preparations for key political reforms and the anticipated December 2026 general elections.

The reshuffle places Makuei, one of the country’s longest-serving government officials, at the center of bridging the relations between the executive and the legislature; at a time when the country is expected to debate critical legislation linked to electoral reforms, governance, and the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).

As Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Makuei will be tasked with coordinating relations between the executive and the Transitional National Legislative Assembly. The ministry serves as a crucial bridge between government institutions and lawmakers, ensuring smooth communication on legislative priorities and government policies.

His responsibilities are expected to include facilitating the presentation of government bills before parliament, coordinating ministerial responses to parliamentary inquiries, monitoring legislative debates, and ensuring government compliance with resolutions and recommendations adopted by lawmakers.

Political observers say the portfolio has become increasingly important as South Sudan enters a critical phase of its transition, with several outstanding legal and institutional reforms requiring parliamentary approval before elections can be conducted.

“The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs plays a strategic role in ensuring that government policies and reform agendas are effectively translated into legislation,” said a political analyst in Juba. “With elections approaching, coordination between the executive and parliament will be vital.”

Before his reassignment, Makuei headed the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, a position he assumed in November last year (2025).

As Justice Minister, he served as the government’s principal legal adviser and oversaw the drafting, review, and interpretation of laws. The ministry is responsible for representing the government in legal matters, coordinating constitutional reforms, and ensuring that national legislation aligns with the provisions of the peace agreement and the country’s legal framework.

Makuei also played a prominent role in defending government policies, participating in peace negotiations, and steering legal discussions surrounding constitutional development and governance reforms.

During his tenure, he became one of the most recognizable faces of the South Sudanese government, frequently addressing national and international audiences on legal, political, and security matters. He also stirred controversy, when he rejected a legal petition filed on behalf of detained former Vice President Benjamin Bol Mel, condemning the language used as “uncouth” and demanding an official apology. In their rebuttal, the lawyers rejected the apology.

The appointment of Wek Mamer as Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs comes at a pivotal moment for South Sudan.

The ministry is expected to oversee several critical assignments, including support for constitutional-making processes, legal reforms linked to the electoral process, and implementation of provisions under the revitalized peace agreement.

His appointment is likely to attract significant attention from various stakeholders, ranging from politicians, civil society organizations, and international partners who have consistently emphasized the importance of legal and constitutional reforms as prerequisites for a peaceful democratic transition.

There is already mounting pressure on the government to accelerate implementation of the peace agreement and prepare for what would be the country’s first elections since independence in 2011.

Several institutions established under the peace agreement, including electoral and constitutional bodies, are expected to intensify their activities in the coming months.

Observers believe the movement of Makuei to Parliamentary Affairs may signal the government’s intention to strengthen engagement with parliament as lawmakers prepare to consider crucial legislation related to elections, governance reforms, and transitional arrangements.

With Makuei now overseeing parliamentary coordination and Wek Mamer assuming responsibility for the country’s legal and constitutional agenda, attention will focus on how the two ministries work together to advance country’s legal and constitutional reform agenda.

The appointments are expected to play a significant role in shaping the legislative and legal framework that will guide the country through the remainder of the transitional period and toward the much-anticipated elections scheduled for December 2026.

The biggest test yet, is how the two leaders will work, without political interference and impartiality, to ensure the country is embraces the rule of law and constitutionalism at this crucial moment in its history.

Utilities

“The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs plays a strategic role in ensuring that government policies and reform agendas are effectively translated into legislation. With elections approaching, coordination between the executive and parliament will be vital,” Juba-based political analyst.