Salva Kiir Mayardit Biography

Salva Kiir Mayardit is the President of South Sudan since its independence in 2011. While little is known of Kiir’s early life, he rose to prominence during the first Sudanese civil war. He gained immense military and political experience during his involvement with the Southern Separatist Movement and the National Army. When conflicts between north and south Sudan arose again, causing the second Sudanese civil war, he stayed true to his vision of an empowered South Sudanese, earning the loyalty of the military faction of the ‘Sudan People’s Liberation Army and Movement.’ This devotion catapulted him into high ranking positions later in his political career. Kiir has been described as the “Biblical Joshua”, who led the fugitives to the Promised Land shortly after the rise and fall of Moses. He was instrumental in founding several important political movements across his career, including the ‘Sudan People’s Liberation Movement’, the agreement of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, and the Independence of South Sudan. He has managed to survive two planned coups to overthrow his government, created infrastructures dealing with the influx of refugees returning home after decades of war, and dealt with the lingering scuffles between southern rebel organizations