HON. AJOU LUOL AKUEI
Managing Director, Media Authority.
Hon. Ajou Luol Akuei is the Managing Director of the South Sudan Media Authority. He was appointed to this position by H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit in June 2026, becoming the second Managing Director of the institution since its operationalization in 2016. He assumed office with extensive experience in journalism, media management, public administration, communication, governance, and media regulation, accumulated over more than fifteen years of professional service.
Throughout his career, Hon. Ajou has distinguished himself as a journalist, editor, communicator, public administrator, and advocate for responsible media practice. His professional achievements include contributing to the growth of South Sudan's media sector through leadership in both national and international media organizations, participation in media governance, and promotion of professional journalism standards. Prior to his appointment as Managing Director, he served as a Member of the Board of Directors of the Media Authority from 2021, where he participated in policy formulation, regulatory oversight, and strategic decision-making for the country's media sector.
Hon. Ajou holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from the University of Juba, obtained between 2004 and 2010. He has further enhanced his professional expertise through specialized training and certification in Management Strategies for People and Resources, Civic Rights Education, Radio Journalism, Anti-Corruption Investigation and Prosecution, and Computer Studies. His continuous pursuit of professional development reflects his commitment to leadership, media excellence, civic engagement, and institutional governance.
His professional career spans journalism, media management, public service, and governance. He began his media career in newspaper journalism, serving as General Editor of Almasier Daily Newspaper from 2010 to 2013, where he supervised news production, editorial planning, and publication management. He later served as Inspector for Corruption Prevention and Education at the Anti-Corruption Commission in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State from 2013 to 2015, contributing to public awareness, corruption prevention initiatives, and media engagement.
Hon. Ajou served as Editor-in-Chief of Sout Alshaab Daily Newspaper in Juba, leading editorial operations, content development, newsroom management, and publication strategy. He subsequently joined public service as Press Secretary in the Office of the Governor of the former Aweil East State, where he advised on media and communication matters, managed public information, coordinated media relations, and strengthened government communication. He also served as Chief Coordinator of the former Aweil East State Liaison Office in Juba, overseeing coordination between state and national institutions and supporting administrative and governmental affairs.
In addition to his public service roles, Hon. Ajou has worked with regional and international media organizations. He served as a Content Producer for Al Jazeera Media Network in South Sudan and contributed to several media platforms, building a strong reputation as a journalist and media professional with expertise in reporting, editorial leadership, media production, and public communication.
As Managing Director of the Media Authority, Hon. Ajou provides strategic leadership and oversight of the institution's mandate to regulate and promote the media sector in South Sudan. He is responsible for advancing media freedom, strengthening professional and ethical journalism, supporting media development, enforcing regulatory frameworks, and ensuring that the media sector operates in accordance with the Constitution and the Media Authority Act, 2013. Under his leadership, the Authority continues to work towards fostering a pluralistic, professional, and sustainable media environment that serves the public interest and contributes to democratic governance, national development, peacebuilding, and informed public discourse.
