South Sudan Gained Independence On July 9, 2011, And Since Then, There Has Been Only one Official First Lady

South Sudan gained independence on July 9, 2011, and since then, there has been only one official First Lady:

First Lady of South Sudan

Mary Ayen Mayardit

• Position: First Lady of the Republic of South Sudan
• Spouse: President Salva Kiir Mayardit
• Tenure: 2011 – present
• Background:
  • Known to be quiet in the public sphere but active in charity work and women’s empowerment initiatives.
  • Supports healthcare, education, and peacebuilding efforts through various platforms.
  • Occasionally appears at state functions, especially those involving women and children.

Why Only One First Lady?

• South Sudan has had only one president since its independence: Salva Kiir Mayardit.
• There is no official record of any previous First Lady, as there was no independent South Sudan before 2011.
• Prior to independence, the region was part of Sudan, where different leadership structures applied.