The vice president of South Sudan is the second highest political position obtainable in South Sudan. Additionally, a temporary position called first vice president was created in August 2015. In 2020, a coalition agreement was reached in 2020 creating five vice presidents. The vice presidents of this unity government were dismissed in September 2026 ahead of the 2026 elections.
Vice presidents (2005–2020) This list contains vice presidents of Southern Sudan (2005–2011, autonomous region of Sudan) and vice presidents of the Republic of South Sudan (2011–present, independent country).
Colour key (for political parties):
Vice presidents of the Southern Sudan autonomous region (2005–2011) PortraitNameTerm of officePolitical affiliationPresident Took office Left office Time in office Salva Kiir Mayardit 9 July 2005 30 July 2005 SPLM John GarangVacant (30 July – 11 August 2005)Salva Kiir Mayardit Riek Machar 11 August 2005 9 July 2011 SPLM
Vice presidents of the Republic of South Sudan (2011–2020) PortraitNameTerm of officePolitical affiliationPresident Took office Left office Time in office Riek Machar 9 July 2011 23 July 2013 SPLMSalva Kiir MayarditVacant (23 July – 25 August 2013) James Wani Igga 25 August 2013 21 February 2020 SPLM
First vice presidents of the Republic of South Sudan (2016–2020) Following the signing of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (ARCSS) in August 2015 a new position of 'first vice president' was established alongside the pre-existing positions of President of South Sudan and Vice President of South Sudan, with the incumbents in both these positions continuing in office. Unlike the positions of president and vice president, which are permanent features of the Constitution, the office of first vice president will cease to exist following the end of the transitional period stipulated in the ARCSS unless otherwise decided in the permanent Constitution.
PortraitNameTerm of officePolitical affiliationPresident Took office Left office Time in office Riek Machar 26 April 2016 26 July 2016 SPLM-IOSalva Kiir Mayardit Taban Deng Gai 26 July 2016 21 February 2020 SPLM-IOSPLM
Vice presidents in the Revitalised Government of National Unity (2020-2026) The Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) was formed in February 2020 and included five vice presidents. Two new vice-presidents were appointed during a cabinet reshuffle on 10 February 2025. The vice presidents of the RTGoNU were dismissed in September 2026 ahead of the 2026 elections.
PositionPortraitNameTerm of officePolitical affiliationPresident Took office Left office Time in office First Riek Machar 21 February 2020 21 September 2026 SPLM-IOSalva Kiir MayarditSecond James Wani Igga 21 February 2020 10 February 2025 SPLM Benjamin Bol Mel 10 February 2025 12 November 2025 SPLM James Wani Igga 17 November 2025 21 September 2026 SPLM Third Taban Deng Gai 21 February 2020 21 September 2026 SPLM Fourth Rebecca Nyandeng Garang 21 February 2020 21 September 2026 SPLMFifth Hussein Abdelbagi 21 February 2020 10 February 2025 SSOA Josephine Lagu 10 February 2025 26 February 2026 SSOA Hussein Abdelbagi 26 February 2026 21 September 2026 SSOA
Timeline
See also Southern Sudan Autonomous Region (1972–1983) Southern Sudan Autonomous Region (2005–2011) Politics of South Sudan History of South Sudan List of governors of pre-independence Sudan List of heads of state of South Sudan
References