By Philip Buda Ladu
President Salva Kiir Mayardit shakes up the National Communication Authority (NCA), as well as the Ministry of Information, Telecommunication, and Postal Services.
In series of republican decrees, read on Friday evening, over state-run South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC), Eng. Napoleon Adok Gai, who had served as NCA Director General since 2020, was relieved. Gieth Kon Mathiang, a former NCA board member, was appointed through decree No. 178-2025, to replace Eng. Napoleon, as Director General in the sector.
Established under 2012, National Communication Law, NCA, is an independent body responsible for regulating South Sudan’s telecommunications and ICT sector, including equipment imports and market competition.
In a separate move, President Kiir also dismissed the Undersecretary of Telecommunication, Wani Lado Kenyi and Undersecretary of Information, Yath Awan Yath, in the Ministry of Information, Telecommunication, and Postal Services.
The two, were replaced by Thomas Gatkuoth Yak as Undersecretary of Telecommunication and Martin Mabior Mawien, as Undersecretary of Information in the Ministry of Information, Telecommunication, and Postal Services.
As, is customary, the presidential decrees did not provide specific reasons for the reshuffling of these key positions but only cited his prerogative to exercise his powers under the interim constitution of the republic as amended.
Former NCA Director General Expresses Gratitude
Meanwhile, following the announcement, former NCA Director General, Napoleon Adok Gai released a statement on his Facebook page expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to serve.
“Last evening (Friday), 9th May), I officially concluded my tenure as Director General of the National Communication Authority – NCA. It has been an honor to serve in this role for the past four years and I am grateful to His Excellency President Salva Kiir Mayardit for entrusting me with the opportunity to contribute to our nation’s development,” he wrote.
Gai also thanked his colleagues and partners for their support in advancing rural connectivity and South Sudan’s digital transformation.
He further extended his congratulations to his successor, Gieth Kon Mathiang, stating, “Having served as a board member of the Authority, he is already familiar with our programs and challenges. I am confident in his ability to steer the sector forward.”
The reshuffle signals a significant change in leadership within the national communication sector, raising questions about the future direction of telecommunications and ICT development in South Sudan.