List of heads of state of South Sudan

The region of Southern Sudan (currently the independent republic of South Sudan) became autonomous for the first time, within Sudan, in 1972, through the Addis Ababa Agreement meant to end the First Sudanese Civil War, and its local government had five presidents until 1983, when the Sudanese central government revoked the autonomy. Autonomy was gained again in 2005, through the Comprehensive Peace Agreement meant to end the Second Sudanese Civil War, and the position of president of Southern Sudan was restored. Then, on 9 July 2011, South Sudan became independent and a new constitution was adopted.[1]

Salva Kiir's term as elected president ended in 2015, but constitutional amendments of 2018 and Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) formed in 2020 extended his mandate until 2023.[3]

• 1972–1983: President of the High Executive Council
• 2005–2011: President of the Government
• 2011–present: President

(Dates in italics indicate de facto continuation of office)

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Term of office			Political party	Elected
			Took office	Left office	Time in office
Southern Sudan Autonomous Region (1972–1983)
1		Abel Alier (born 1933)	6 April 1972	February 1978	5 years, 301 days	SF	–
2		Joseph Lagu (born 1931)	February 1978	12 July 1979	1 year, 161 days	SANU	–
3		Peter Gatkuoth (1938–2010)	12 July 1979	30 May 1980	323 days	Independent	–
(1)		Abel Alier (born 1933)	30 May 1980	5 October 1981	1 year, 128 days	SF	–
4		Gismalla Abdalla Rassas (1932–2013)	5 October 1981	23 June 1982	261 days	Independent	–
5		Joseph James Tombura (1929–1992)	23 June 1982	5 June 1983	347 days	SANU	–
Autonomy abolished (5 June 1983 – 9 July 2005)
Southern Sudan Autonomous Region (2005–2011)
6		John Garang (1945–2005) [lower-alpha 1]	9 July 2005	30 July 2005 †	21 days	SPLM	–
–		Salva Kiir Mayardit (born 1951) Acting	30 July 2005	11 August 2005	49 days	SPLM	–
7		Salva Kiir Mayardit (born 1951)	11 August 2005	9 July 2011	5 years, 332 days	SPLM	2010
Republic of South Sudan (2011–present)
(7)		Salva Kiir Mayardit (born 1951)	9 July 2011	Incumbent	12 years, 109 days	SPLM	–

Note: The President of South Sudan was also First Vice President of the Sudanese national government until 9 July 2011.

• Southern Sudan Autonomous Region (1972–1983)
• Southern Sudan Autonomous Region (2005–2011)
  • Politics of South Sudan
  • List of governors of pre-independence Sudan
  • Vice President of South Sudan
• List of current heads of state and government

• World Statesmen – South Sudan