Joseph Monytuil

Joseph Nguen Monytuil
Governor of Unity State
Assumed office
23 March 2026
Preceded byRiek Bim Top
In office
29 June 2020 – 20 May 2024
Preceded byposition recreated
Succeeded byRiek Bim Top
In office
7 July 2013 – 2 October 2015
Preceded byTaban Deng Gai
Succeeded byposition dissolved
Governor of Northern Liech State
In office
24 December 2015 – 22 February 2020
Preceded byposition created
Succeeded byposition dissolved
Personal details
Born1962 (age 63–64)
PartySudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM)

Joseph Nguen Monytuil is the governor of Unity State, South Sudan. Monytuil has served as governor of Unity State (and Northern Liech State, when it was formed from Unity State) for much of its history since South Sudanese independence, including during the South Sudanese Civil War.

Political career

In 1997, Monytuil unsuccessfully ran for the governorship of Unity State, losing to Taban Deng Gai. In 2008, Monytuil was elected as the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) chair for Unity State with the support of Riek Machar. Despite this position, Monytuil failed to secure the SPLM nomination for the governorship in the 2010 Southern Sudanese general election, which instead went to Taban Deng Gai. Monytuil declined to run as an independent; his supporters instead backed Angelina Teny, who lost the election to Taban Deng Gai.[1]

On 7 July 2013, President Salva Kiir Mayardit removed Taban Deng Gai as the governor of Unity State, appointing Monytuil to the position. Occurring during tensions preceding the South Sudanese Civil War, Taban Deng Gai was seen as affiliated with opposition leader Riek Machar, and Monytuil had the support of the South Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SSLM/A), which remained loyal to the government after Monytuil's appointment.[2][3]

In October 2015, Unity State was divided into three states as part of broader reorganization. On 24 December 2015, Monytuil was appointed as the first governor of Northern Liech State, which was formed from central Unity State.[4] Unity State was reconstituted in 2020, and Monytuil was appointed governor of Unity State as one of the SPLM-selected governorships in the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity.[5][6]

On 20 May 2024, President Kiir replaced Monytuil as governor of Unity State without giving an official reason. Monytuil was reappointed as governor on 23 March 2026.[7]

Personal life

Monytuil is a Bul Nuer. His brother, Bapiny Monytuil, is a principal leader of the South Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SSLM/A).[8]

In 2023, Monytuil was sanctioned by the United States Office of Foreign Assets Control.[9]

References

  1. ↑ Craze, Joshua; Tubiana, Jérôme (2016). A State of Disunity: Conflict Dynamics in Unity State, South Sudan, 2013–15 (PDF). Geneva, Switzerland: Small Arms Survey. pp. 11, 29–30.
  2. ↑ Craze, Joshua; Tubiana, Jérôme (2016). A State of Disunity: Conflict Dynamics in Unity State, South Sudan, 2013–15 (PDF). Geneva, Switzerland: Small Arms Survey. p. 32.
  3. ↑ "Cracks in South Sudan presidency over dismissal of Unity state governor". Sudan Tribune. 2013-07-10. Retrieved 2026-04-25.
  4. ↑ "Kiir and Makuei want 28 states in South Sudan". Radio Tamazuj. Archived from the original on 2015-12-08.
  5. ↑ Mayen, David (2020-06-30). "South Sudan's Kiir appoints governors for eight states | Pachodo.org". pachodo.org. Retrieved 2026-04-25.
  6. ↑ "South Sudan's President appoints 28 Governors, defies peace agreement". South Sudan News Agency. 24 December 2015. Archived from the original on 2 February 2016.
  7. ↑ "Kiir sacks Unity State governor, reappoints Manytuil". Sudans Post. 23 March 2026. Retrieved 24 March 2026.
  8. ↑ Human Security Baseline Assessment (HSBA) for Sudan and South Sudan (2015-01-29). The Conflict in Unity State (PDF). Small Arms Survey. p. 5.
  9. ↑ "Notice of OFAC Sanctions Actions". Federal Register. 2023-12-14. Retrieved 2026-04-25.