MELUT – Melut County in South Sudan’s Upper Nile State has revoked the appointments of its previous Community Development Committee (CDC) and secretariat responsible for the community’s 3% oil revenue allocation, naming new officials to replace them.
Caretaker County Commissioner Adway Akech Yuot issued two administrative orders on October 19, revoking appointments made in April and appointing a new committee and secretariat.
Administrative Order No. 002/2026 relieves the former officials of their duties with immediate effect, while Order No. 003/2026 lists their replacements.
Both orders cite the Petroleum Revenue Management Act, 2013, and the Local Government Act, 2009, as the legal basis for the decisions. The orders do not explain why the previous officials were removed.
The new committee is chaired by Mandela Elija Awan Bol, with Peei Deng Nuor as deputy chairperson.
Other members are Ayong Ngor Akoch, secretary general; Lual Chum Ayuel, deputy secretary general; Bol Mum Nyok, finance secretary; Bory Jok Akechak and Wunkier Adanga Diing, members; and Dictor Ayat Deng Padiet, non-permanent member.
The new secretariat comprises Thomas Tor Atem as project supervisor, Bayang Lual Ajak as education supervisor, Nyook Juach Ajuer as health supervisor, and Nyikang Peter Padiet as treasurer.
Rebecca Joseph Deng has been appointed cooperation and information officer, Thon Monywiir Loi office coordinator, and Molana Ajing Chol legal adviser.
The previous committee was chaired by Nimeiri Ader Gal, with Achan Maker Deng as deputy chairperson and Chok Phillip Rawan as secretary general. Kejok Thon Wer served as deputy secretary general, while Tothiong Teng Kur, Lual Chum Ayuel and Daniel Ahoch Loi were members. Doka Achien Doka served as a non-permanent member.
Lual Chum Ayuel is the only person listed in both committees, moving from committee member to deputy secretary general.
The former secretariat included Juma Monygau Adanga as project supervisor, Atong Akuoch Deng as education supervisor, Ayong Deng Miir as health supervisor, Kaman Ajang Lual as treasurer, Khamis Haroun Aro as cooperation and information officer, Monymou Monywer Awou as office coordinator, and Molana Juma Dol Lor as legal adviser.
What is the 3% oil revenue allocation?
South Sudan’s petroleum revenue-sharing framework provides for 3% of net petroleum revenue to be allocated to communities in oil-producing states. A separate 2% share is allocated to the producing states.
The community allocation is intended to support local development, including schools, health facilities, roads and clean-water infrastructure.
Under the revenue-sharing arrangement, 55% of the community allocation goes to oil-producing counties, while the remaining 45% is allocated to non-producing counties within the same oil-producing states.
Community Development Committees are part of the local structures involved in identifying and supporting development priorities. The applicable legal framework governs how projects are approved and how the funds are administered.
In September 2026, Melut authorities announced plans to investigate delays in disbursing the 3% oil revenue allocation to local communities.
The latest appointments come amid those reported concerns, although the commissioner’s orders do not establish any connection between the delays and the replacement of the committee.