List of heads of state of South Sudan

This article lists the heads of state of South Sudan since the establishment of the Southern Sudan Autonomous Region within Sudan in 1972.

The president of the Republic of South Sudan is the head of state and head of government of South Sudan. The president leads the executive branch of the Government of South Sudan and is the commander-in-chief of the South Sudan People's Defence Forces. The official residence of the president is State House, J1.

History of the office
The region of Southern Sudan (currently the independent republic of South Sudan) became autonomous for the first time, within Sudan, in 1972, through the Addis Ababa Agreement meant to end the First Sudanese Civil War, and its local government had five presidents until 1983, when the Sudanese central government revoked the autonomy. Autonomy was gained again in 2005, through the Comprehensive Peace Agreement meant to end the Second Sudanese Civil War, and the position of president of Southern Sudan was restored. Then, on 9 July 2011, South Sudan became independent and a new constitution was adopted.

Term limits
Salva Kiir's term as elected president ended in 2015, but constitutional amendments of 2018 and Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) formed in 2020 extended his mandate until 2023.

Titles of heads of state

 * 1972–1983: President of the High Executive Council
 * 2005–2011: President of the Government
 * 2011–present: President

Heads of state of South Sudan (1972–present)
(Dates in italics indicate de facto continuation of office)

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" ! rowspan=2| No. ! rowspan=2| Portrait ! rowspan=2| Name (Birth–Death) ! colspan=3| Term of office ! rowspan=2| Political party ! rowspan=2| Elected ! Took office ! Left office ! Time in office
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Southern Sudan Autonomous Region (1972–1983)



 * colspan=8| Autonomy abolished (5 June 1983 – 9 July 2005)
 * colspan=8|
 * colspan=8|
 * colspan=8|

Southern Sudan Autonomous Region (2005–2011)



 * colspan=8|
 * colspan=8|

Republic of South Sudan (2011–present)



 * }

Note: The President of South Sudan was also First Vice President of the Sudanese national government until 9 July 2011.