04/08/2026
A CALL TO PRESIDENT KIIR: APPOINT CDR. GATWECH PETER KULANG AS CHAIRPERSON OF SOUTH SUDAN RELIEF AND REHABILITATION COMMISSION (SSRC)—A MAN WHO EMBODIES THE SOLUTION
As President Salva Kiir searches for lasting solutions to South Sudan’s deepening humanitarian crisis, one name stands above the rest as a permanent, transformative answer: Cdr. Gatwech Peter Kulang. His appointment as Chairperson of the South Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (SSRC) is not merely a administrative decision—it is a moral imperative for a nation yearning for compassionate, competent leadership.
Cdr. Gatwech is no stranger to suffering or service. With over two decades of hands-on experience in humanitarian and community development, he has walked the dusty roads of displacement camps and sat in the high-level negotiation rooms where policies are shaped. He understands that relief is not just about distributing aid—it is about restoring dignity, rebuilding trust, and reigniting hope in the hearts of the most vulnerable.
His academic credentials are as solid as his character. Holding a Master of Arts in International Relations and Diplomacy from Cavendish University Uganda, a Bachelor of Arts in International Community Development from Victoria University Melbourne, and a Diploma in Community Welfare from Holmesglen Institute, he combines global best practices with local realities. His additional certifications further underscore his commitment to lifelong learning and excellence.
Beyond the certificates, Cdr. Gatwech is a man of deep faith and unwavering integrity. A devoted member of the Christian Temple Church (CTC) of South Sudan, he is God-fearing, humble, and morally upright—a rare combination in public service. He is also a published author whose book, “In Integrating Diplomacy in Search of Humanity,” reveals his philosophy that compassion must be woven into every diplomatic and humanitarian effort. As an active SPLM member, he is loyal to the nation’s vision while remaining fiercely independent in his pursuit of justice.
His career trajectory speaks volumes: from Founder and CEO of the South Sudan Development Agency (2007–2009), to Director General of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (2010–2014), to Undersecretary at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs (2016–2021), and most recently National Chairperson of the SSRC itself (2023–2025). He has also served as Chairperson of the Kulang Foundation since 2022. This is not a man learning on the job—he has lived the job, refined it, and proven his mettle time and again.
Your Excellency, the people of South Sudan do not need temporary fixes. They need a leader who has already rebuilt communities in Australia and South Sudan, who has coordinated national responses during the most trying times, and who has the diplomatic finesse to attract global partners while demanding accountability at home. Cdr. Gatwech Peter Kulang is that leader—steady, experienced, and deeply empathetic.
I humbly appeal to President Kiir to see beyond politics and embrace this rare gift of leadership. Appointing Cdr. Gatwech Peter Kulang as SSRC Chairperson is not just a promotion—it is a promise to every displaced mother, every hungry child, and every broken family that their pain has been seen, and their future is finally in safe hands. Let us give humanity a chance. Let us give South Sudan a permanent solution.
By Economist & Senior SPLM Political Think Tank Mr Mathiang Jalap Dongrin and others 99 Academics Professional Thinkers:
