The recent appointment of Adut Salva Kiir has generated considerable attention, not only because of her family name but also because of the hope that she might bring a fresh voice into South Sudan’s leadership circle. Yet the truth is that Adut does not need to do much on her own to make a difference. Her greatest influence lies in whether she can persuade her father, President Salva Kiir, to put the nation’s future above his political survival.
The most important step she could push for is an honest political roundtable. This must involve the government, the opposition, civil society, faith leaders, and other stakeholders sitting together to agree on the way forward. Such a process cannot be genuine if political detainees remain behind bars. Figures like Dr. Riek Machar and members of coalitions such as the United People’s Alliance (UPA) must be released and included in any dialogue.
Without political consensus, South Sudan’s challenges cannot be solved. Billions spent through foundations, charities, or development programs will never address the root of the crisis. The country’s problems are not financial but political. Until leaders agree on South Sudan’s future through a second, authentic National Dialogue, no one—no matter how well connected—can claim to be building the nation.
Adut could also seek guidance from respected figures like Mama Rebecca Nyandeng, who has long advocated for unity and reconciliation. With her support, Adut might serve as a bridge to those who have fallen out with the government.
Ultimately, South Sudan does not need more empty peace deals or cosmetic projects. What it needs is a real peace—one grounded in inclusion, honesty, and compromise. If Adut can help her father take that step, she will truly make a lasting difference.
