State in South Sudan

The Transitional Constitution of 2011, as amended, is South Sudan's supreme legal framework. It establishes the President as head of state, head of government and commander-in-chief, and recognizes English and Arabic as official languages. Juba is the national capital. The Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity, commonly called the RTGoNU, has operated under the peace agreement since 22 February 2020. The transition remains fragile because power-sharing, constitution-making and security arrangements are not fully implemented. South Sudan has three levels of government: national, state and local. The country has ten states and three administrative areas: Abyei, Pibor and Ruweng. The state capitals are Juba in Central Equatoria, Torit in Eastern Equatoria, Yambio in Western Equatoria, Bor in Jonglei, Bentiu in Unity, Malakal in Upper Nile, Rumbek in Lakes, Kuajok in Warrap, Aweil in Northern Bahr el Ghazal and Wau in Western Bahr el Ghazal. Changes to state boundaries require a Council of States resolution supported by at least two-thirds of its members. State names and capitals are decided by a majority of the Council of States after a recommendation from the relevant State Legislative Assembly. At state level, a Governor leads the executive and a State Legislative Assembly performs legislative functions. Administrative areas have Chief Administrators. Local government generally follows the rural structure of County, Payam and Boma, while urban areas may use city, municipal or town councils. Local authorities handle functions such as service delivery, local fees and taxes authorized by law, law and order, civic participation, peacebuilding and reconciliation. Traditional Authorities and customary law have constitutional recognition, but they remain subordinate to the Constitution and statutory law. Their practical role is often greater where formal administration has limited reach. The national administration includes the Office of the President, the Council of Ministers, the National Legislature and the Judiciary. The National Legislature consists of the National Legislative Assembly and the Council of States. The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs supports legal administration, while the Ministry of Public Service and Human Resource Development handles public-service policy, human resources and institutional capacity. The Civil Service Commission provides guidance on merit, recruitment, transfers, promotions and discipline. Its civil-service remit does not cover the legislature, judiciary, disciplined forces or state and local services. Government services include civil registration, nationality, passports, immigration and revenue-related services. The eServices.gov.ss portal provides a single-window channel for some applications. Depending on the service, access may require an identity document or passport and may involve online submission, a bank, mobile money or a card payment. Fees, processing times and availability vary by service and location. Weak connectivity, poor roads, conflict and staff shortages can make physical and digital access difficult, especially outside major towns. The Ministry of Finance and Planning manages the budget and Treasury functions. The South Sudan Revenue Authority administers non-oil taxes, customs and other revenue collection, while the Bank of South Sudan is the central bank. The FY 2025/26 resource envelope was SSP 7,007,468,393,945, including gross oil revenue of SSP 5,219,273,715,158 before transfers to Sudan, oil-producing states and communities, the Ministry of Petroleum, debt service and infrastructure. Oil remains the dominant revenue base. A Treasury Single Account and electronic tax collection are intended to improve collection and control, but fiscal stress affects liquidity, salaries, administration and service delivery. The FY 2025 deficit was reported at 6.7% of GDP, and civil-service salary arrears reached approximately 8 to 13 months in January 2026. The Supreme Court is the highest court and the constitutional custodian. It exercises judicial review and issues final, binding decisions. Court of Appeal branches operate in Juba, Wau and Rumbek. High Courts serve states and administrative areas, and County Courts form a statutory fourth level. A County Court may impose up to seven years of imprisonment or a fine of SSP 5,000 within its jurisdiction. Formal county coverage remains incomplete because of staffing and resource shortages. Customary courts and mobile courts provide practical access in remote or conflict-affected areas, but their authority and procedures differ from those of the formal courts. Public money and official conduct are subject to several oversight bodies. The National Audit Chamber, or NAC, is the independent supreme audit institution and can audit national, state and county governments, ministries, commissions, assemblies, the Bank of South Sudan, donor projects and universities. The Anti-Corruption Commission investigates corruption and administrative malpractice and handles asset and liability declarations. The Information Commission is an independent body responsible for access-to-information functions. Human rights bodies and legislative Public Accounts Committees provide additional oversight. Enforcement capacity remains limited, so a formal mandate does not guarantee an effective remedy. The Constitution protects freedom of expression, assembly, association and access to information. The Media Authority Act 2013 regulates the media framework, and the Right to Access to Information Act 2013 provides a legal basis for requesting public information. The National Communication Authority, or NCA, regulates information and communications technology, telecommunications, postal and courier services and broadcasting. The Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, known as the RRC, is the main registration, coordination and oversight interface for non-governmental organizations. Government portals, the South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation, community radio and civil-society organizations are common information channels. In practice, censorship, intimidation, allegations of arbitrary detention and self-censorship can restrict civic space. The constitutional security structure includes the National Security Council and state and county security committees. Formal forces include the South Sudan People's Defence Forces, the South Sudan National Police Service, the National Security Service, the Prison Service, the Wildlife Service and the Fire Brigade. The National Security Service has a constitutional remit covering internal and external security under direct presidential supervision, together with duties to respect the rule of law and human rights. Integration of forces under the peace agreement has been delayed. Traditional Authorities, community leaders and armed youth or ethnic self-defence groups may perform security functions informally, but they do not have the same legal status as state forces and their territorial control varies. The United Nations Mission in South Sudan, or UNMISS, is an external, United Nations Security Council-mandated civilian-protection and peace-support actor, not an organ of the South Sudanese State.