Southern Sudan Autonomous Region (1972–1983) in the context of Republic of South Sudan

The First Sudanese Sovereignty Council (26 December 1955–17 November 1958), or Supreme Commission or Commission of Sovereignty, was established in the context of Sudan's struggle for independence and the subsequent transition to self-rule. Sudan, formerly under joint British-Egyptian rule, gained independence on 1 January 1956. The council was formed on 26 December 1955 to oversee the governance of the Republic of Sudan during this transitional period. The members of the council included Abd al-Fattah Muhammad al-Maghribi, al-Dardiri Muhammad Uthman (National Umma Party), Ahmad Muhammad Yasin (National Unionist Party), Ahmad Muhammad Salih (NUP), and Siricio Iro Wani (Southern Liberal Party). The prime minister was Ismail al-Azhari until 5 July 1956 followed by Abdallah Khalil until the 17 November 1958 Sudanese coup d'état.

During its tenure, the council faced several challenges, including the First Sudanese Civil War, which lasted from 1955 to 1972. The conflict erupted shortly before Sudan's independence and continued throughout the council's existence. The civil war was fought primarily between the Sudanese government and southern rebels seeking greater autonomy and resource control. It was resolved through the Addis Ababa Agreement in 1972, which established the Southern Sudan Autonomous Region.

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.

The vice president of Sudan is the second highest political position obtainable in Sudan. Currently there is a provision for one de facto vice president, deputy chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council, who is appointed by the chairman of the council. Historically (in the 1972–1983 and 2005–2011 periods) either the first or the second vice president was from Southern Sudan (now independent South Sudan). From 2011 until the abolition of the post in 2019, the second vice president was from Darfur.