Who is Salva Kiir Mayardit
His Excellency Salva Kiir Mayardit is the President of the Republic of South Sudan and Commander-in-Chief of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces and the Supreme Commander of all other Regular Forces. He was sworn in on 9th of July 2011 on the country's Independence Day as the first President of the Republic of South Sudan.
Timeline
Six decades, three chapters: from the liberation struggle to independence, peace and regional leadership.
President Kiir was born in Akon Payam, Gogrial West County of Warrap State. He was raised within a rural community with a strong Catholic family background. He received his education at Akon primary school, intermediate school in Kuajok and his secondary education in Rumbek. He further attended Sudan Military College where he undertook infantry training graduating as second lieutenant and Military intelligence rising to the rank of Captain.
At the age of 17, Salva Kiir Mayardit joined the Anyanya Movement in 1967, during the First Sudanese Civil War. Salva was angered over political marginalization, forced cultural assimilation, and economic neglect by the northern-led Sudanese government. He fought with the Anyanya forces seeking autonomy for Southern Sudan until the Addis Ababa Agreement of 1972.
Following the 1972 Addis Ababa Agreement, Salva Kiir Mayardit showcased profound dedication to his people by joining the Sudanese Armed Forces to oversee the peaceful integration of Anyanya freedom fighters. Driven by a deep duty to protect southern interests, his exceptional leadership shone as he rose to the rank of captain, mastering the vital strategic skills he would later use to guide South Sudan to independence.
Advancing the Anyanya vision for southern self determination, the revolutionary struggle re-emerged in 1983. Championing decades of popular resistance against the structural marginalization of the southern part of Sudan by Khartoum regimes, Salva Kiir Mayardit joined hands with Dr. John Garang, Kerubino Kuanyin, William Nyuon, and other visionary leaders to establish the SPLM/A, institutionalizing the national liberation movement.
Throughout the 1983–2005 liberation struggle, Salva Kiir Mayardit held pivotal military and political responsibilities within the movement. Following his role as SPLA Chief of Military Staff and his election as Deputy Chairman of the SPLM, he became the chief diplomat of the resistance. In July 2002, he personally led the southern delegation to Kenya to sign the historic Machakos Protocol. This ground-breaking framework directly secured the right to self-determination for the southern part of Sudan, serving as the foundation for the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).
While the SPLM signed the final 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), Salva Kiir Mayardit was the critical architect who made it possible by negotiating the foundational 2002 Machakos Protocol to secure the south's right to self-determination. Following the demise of the then First Vice President of the Republic of Sudan and President of the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS), Dr. John Garang de Mabior in a tragic plane crash, His Excellency President Salva Kiir Mayardit became the First Vice President of the Republic of Sudan and President of the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS). In this supreme role, Kiir brilliantly executed the CPA framework, leading the nation to the historic 2010 democratic elections where he won a decisive presidential landslide that directly paved the way for South Sudanese liberation.
In a historic testament to his leadership, the people overwhelmingly elected Salva Kiir Mayardit as President of the Government of Southern Sudan with a resounding 93 percent of the vote. Demonstrating the deep trust and mandate bestowed upon him by the nation, he officially took the oath of office on May 21, 2010, firmly securing the political foundation needed to guide his people toward their ultimate independence.
In a monumental triumph of his leadership, President Salva Kiir Mayardit successfully guided the nation through the historic January 2011 self-determination referendum. Under his steadfast guidance, the people of Southern Sudan cast their ballots in an overwhelming mandate for liberty, with independence receiving an astonishing 98.83 percent of valid votes.
On July 9, 2011, South Sudan became an independent country, and Salva Kiir Mayardit was sworn in as its very first President. This historic day fulfilled the long-held dream of the South Sudanese people to have their own free and sovereign nation.
On December 15, 2013, a severe political and security crisis erupted in Juba, escalating into a challenging national conflict. Throughout this difficult period, President Salva Kiir Mayardit took on the critical and urgent responsibilities of statecraft, steering the government toward national recovery. His leadership during this crisis focused heavily on initiating vital peace processes, inter-communal reconciliation dialogues, and comprehensive national healing to restore stability and safeguard the sovereignty of South Sudan.
Demonstrating a profound statesmanship and an unwavering commitment to national reconciliation, President Salva Kiir Mayardit signed the historic Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan. This monumental accord established a comprehensive framework designed to bring an immediate end to hostilities, implement fair power-sharing mechanisms, and form a Transitional Government of National Unity. By appending his signature to this peace pact, President Kiir took a decisive step forward to heal the country, secure the protection of the people, and lay a solid foundation for lasting stability and national recovery.
During the presidency of Salva Kiir Mayardit, South Sudan officially deposited its instruments of ratification for accession to the East African Community (EAC). This diplomatic milestone significantly strengthened the country’s participation in regional economic cooperation and geopolitical partnership.
Demonstrating profound statesmanship, President Kiir Mayardit joined national leaders in signing the landmark Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS). This vital accord successfully renewed the national framework for lasting peace and stability.
Salva Kiir Mayardit stepped forward to lead the nation as President following the historic formation of the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity. This shared framework successfully united all signatory parties under a single, cohesive governance structure.
Embodying his role as a regional peacemaker, President Salva Kiir and the Government of South Sudan successfully facilitated critical peace talks between Sudan’s government and various armed movements. This immense contribution to regional stability earned formal recognition and praise from the United Nations.
Demonstrating top-tier diplomatic influence as the Chairperson of the EAC Heads of State Summit, President Salva Kiir Mayardit hosted and chaired an extraordinary summit in Juba, overseeing the official swearing-in of EAC Secretary-General Veronica Nduva.
President Salva Kiir Mayardit proudly led the nation in celebrating its fifteenth independence anniversary. In a powerful address, he called upon all citizens and leaders to work hand-in-hand to consolidate these historic achievements for permanent peace, national cohesion, and shared prosperity.
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