CS- 1st Deputy Speaker, Ayen Mijok Kiir

14/06/2026

This situation reflects what many would describe as the "Strong and Wrong" theory in practice.

As of 14 June 2026, two weeks have passed since five people were killed in Kaloch, Aliny County, on 2 June 2026. Their remains are reportedly still lying exposed to vultures and wild animals, without the dignity of a proper burial. They are:
• Miabek Wuor Miabek (Kuot)
• Mijok Daany Yuot (Pawany)
• Bith Kiir Miyar (Adonglony)
• Monyaguek Lang Miaker (Adonglony)
• Dau Miaper Dau (Diar)
At the same time, the memories of the 218 people massacred in Biemnom on 1 March 2026, together with many other victims, continue to await justice.
Meanwhile, the Government of Unity State and the Vice President, who also chairs the Infrastructure Cluster, have relocated the headquarters of two counties into territories of Ruweng, renamed those areas, and created new payams, all amid concerns about the legality and due process surrounding such actions.
Yet the same Vice President of our Republic, Gen. Taban Deng G*i, continues to speak of a peaceful Greater Unity. Many in Ruweng question how genuine unity can be achieved when those entrusted with leadership are perceived to be misusing the very powers vested in them.
History reminds us that injustice does not endure forever. Ultimately, truth prevails, and every action is subject to the judgment of both history and God.

Ayen Mijok Kii
Juba
14 June 2026

13/04/2026

I have received numerous communications from farmers and residents of Aliny County in the Ruweng Administrative Area—one of the major oil-producing regions in Blocks 1, 2, and 4 concession area of GPOC. They have raised serious concerns that the Greater Pioneer Operating Company (GPOC) began clearing a significant portion of the historic Dulanga farmlands on 11th April 2026 for the purpose of drilling a new exploration well, reportedly named “El Toor North West,” located northwest of the new road leading to Dulanga farms.
I have since been informed that these activities were put on hold on 12th April 2026.

As a stakeholder, I remain uncertain whether the Government of the Republic of South Sudan—through the Ministry of Petroleum, the Petroleum and Gas Commission, NilePet, and GPOC—conducted any Environmental, Social, and Economic Impact Assessment (ESEIA) prior to the commencement of this exercise. Furthermore, as a legislator and representative of the people, it is unclear whether the Government and, most importantly, the residents of Ruweng—particularly those of Aliny County—were adequately consulted and involved.
While I acknowledge that increasing oil production, alongside economic diversification, is critical for revitalizing South Sudan’s economy and improving service delivery and livelihoods, including those of the people of Ruweng, it is equally important that the Government adheres to the resolutions of the National Budget for FY 2025/2026, as passed by the National Legislature (Council of States and the Transitional National Legislative Assembly). These resolutions call upon the Government to:
1. Release the Environmental Audit Report;
2. Establish the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) in accordance with Article 4.6.1.3 of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS, 2018);
3. Conduct proper Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) prior to any oil or mining operations.

Additionally, I call upon GPOC to respect and adopt the indigenous names of the areas, rather than continuing the use of foreign names introduced during previous regimes. Examples include:
“El Toor” (التور، تحريف لثور) instead of Athony
“Wazin” (وزين) instead of Awuol Lueth / Kol Tuot
“Harr and Nar” (الحر والنار) instead of Kaloch
“Laloba” (لالوبة) instead of Thuo ke Miading (Miading)
“Unity Oil Fields” (حقول الوحدة) instead of Derbiem
“Manga” (منقا) instead of Yaar
This is also a call to our local communities to remain calm and trust that we will engage and coordinate with the relevant government institutions to ensure that all stakeholders are properly involved.

As we begin to witness some progress and reform efforts within the oil sector, we must not overlook the growing concerns regarding environmental degradation and public health. The increasing number of children and animals born with deformities, as well as the deteriorating environmental conditions in oil-producing areas, constitute a serious and existential threat. This demands urgent and collective action by the Government and all stakeholders to mitigate risks and prevent further harm.

Mary Ayen Mijok Kiir
First Deputy Speaker
Council of States
Juba
13th April 2026

20/03/2026

13/03/2026

Today, Friday 13th March 2026, I have presided over the Council of States’ Extraordinary Sitting No. 1/2026, during which the House confirmed Rt. Hon. Daniel Akot Akot as Speaker of the Council of States in accordance with Republican Decree No. 100/2026.
It was an honour to serve as Acting Speaker from 13 August 2025 to 13 March 2026. I extend my sincere congratulations and best wishes to Rt. Hon. Daniel Akot Akot as he assumes this important responsibility in service of our nation.

23/12/2025

Yesterday, 22 December 2025, the leadership of the National Legislature held an audience with H.E. the President of the Republic.
The meeting focused on the progress made by Parliament and its legislative calendar, particularly the scheduled recess and resumption of sessions after three months, as provided by law. However, in view of the critical national agenda currently before the National Legislature, notably the national budget, and in the process of submission; the Constitution for amendment. The President directed Parliament to extend its current session until all urgent pending matters awaiting legislative scrutiny are duly addressed and adopted.
The discussion also highlighted important concerns regarding existing gaps in the National Elections Act, 2012 (as amended in 2023), as well as the proposal to rename the Council of States as the Senate of the Republic of South Sudan, in line with regional and global best practices.
The forthcoming constitutional amendment process presents a timely opportunity to consider and implement these important institutional reforms in the interest of supporting implementation of the peace accord, and strengthening our democratic governance.

21/11/2025

My Silence is Not Compliance

On Friday, the 26 September 2025, my daughter Josephina Atoc Francis was allegedly reported to have drowned in the swimming pool of the Imperial Plaza – Juba at around 10:00 AM. Yet I was only informed in the late afternoon—hours later. The Hotel then took her body on their own to the funeral home on Bilpam Road without any legal procedures and without informing our family. No mother deserves to be treated this way. No family deserves such cruelty and disrespect.

Soon after, medical investigations confirmed that my daughter did not drown—there was an act of homicide. A crucial CCTV footage recovered from Habesha Hotel led to the identification of the four culprits, who are now in prison awaiting the ongoing legal process. This truth alone exposes the lies that were told and the attempts to cover up what truly happened to my child.

Yet despite all this, Imperial Plaza continues its business advertisements as if nothing happened—as if a life was not stolen within their premises. Instead of closing to allow proper investigations, the Hotel has chosen arrogance over responsibility.

Their behavior makes them partners in the death of my daughter. And still, they attempt to intimidate people including the Public Prosecution claiming that the Hotel “cannot be closed” because it is allegedly owned by a powerful person. But no one is above the law, and no one has the right to silence a grieving mother.

They think my family is vulnerable because my husband; Col. Francis Chol Lang, is no longer with us. But for the last fifteen years, I have been both a mother and a father. I could not save the life of my daughter, but I will not fail her in death. I will not be intimidated. I will not be silent. I will seek justice to the very end.

If Imperial Plaza and Habesha Hotel are too powerful to be subjected to law, the least Imperial Plaza can do is stop all advertisements on SSBC and other media outlets until investigations and court proceedings are complete. This is the minimum respect they owe to the soul of Josephina Atoc and to our grieving family.

Her innocent soul will guide us.
And I will not stop until justice is served.

Ayen Mijok Kiiir
Juba
21st November, 2025