South Sudan’s President Kiir Makes Major Government Reshuffle, Dismissing Key Figures

By Debora Akur, South Sudan

South Sudan’s President, Salva Kiir Mayardit, has implemented a significant reshuffle within his government, removing two vice presidents, the head of intelligence, and several ministers, as part of a broader restructuring.

The announcement was made late on Monday by the state broadcaster SSBC.

The presidential decrees, which did not provide specific reasons for the dismissals, confirmed that Dr. James Wani Igga, a long-serving vice president, was replaced by Dr. Benjamin Bol Bel. Bol Bel, a prominent businessman and close ally of Kiir, now takes on the role of vice president for the economic cluster.

Speculation surrounding Bol Bel’s increasing influence within the government has grown, with reports suggesting his involvement in key decisions affecting the country.

Before his new appointment, Bol Bel served as the presidential envoy for special programs and the deputy secretary-general of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM).

In addition to his political roles, he runs a road construction company that has secured several government contracts, including one for the Juba-Bor highway.

In a separate decree, Kiir dismissed Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, the vice president for the services cluster, who represented the opposition South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) under the 2018 peace agreement.

Akol has now been appointed the new Minister of Agriculture. His former role has been filled by Josephine Joseph Lagu, a former agriculture minister and the daughter of Joseph Lagu, a prominent Sudanese figure who led the Anya-Nya movement during the Sudanese Civil War.

Additionally, Dr. James Wani Igga has been appointed as the new secretary-general of the SPLM, succeeding Peter Lam Both. Wani, a key figure in the party, previously held the position during the Second Sudanese Civil War and had been the first deputy chairman of the SPLM before this new role.

The reasons behind this change have not been clarified.

Political analyst Ter Manyang Gatwech expressed concerns about the reshuffle, particularly the removal of such influential figures as Dr. Igga.

He emphasized the importance of upholding the peace agreement, suggesting that such decisions could destabilize the country. “Removing a key figure like Dr. James Wani Igga raises serious questions.

The peace agreement must be respected, and we must avoid any actions that could bring the country closer to conflict,” Gatwech remarked.

In another unexpected move, President Kiir dismissed General Akec Tong Aleu, the Director-General of the Internal Security Bureau of the National Security Service, appointing Gen. Charles Chiek Mayo as acting chief until a permanent successor is found. General Akec’s departure came just a week after he signed a peace agreement with the SPLA-IO Kitgwang faction, led by Gen.

Simon Gatwech Dual. The deal included provisions for integrating rebel forces into the national army, with Gatwech set to become deputy commander-in-chief.

Other high-ranking officials were also removed as part of the shake-up. Yolanda Awel Deng, a member of the SPLM-IO, was dismissed from her role as Minister of Health, with no replacement announced.

Similarly, Gen. Alfred Futuyo Karaba, another SPLM-IO member, was removed from his position as Governor of Western Equatoria state, with no successor named.

In addition to the reshuffling of political leaders, Kiir appointed Tut Gatluak Manime as South Sudan’s new Ambassador to Kuwait, after removing him from his position as the presidential envoy for the Middle East.

Civil society activist Edmund Yakani responded to the sweeping changes, expressing concern over the potential impact on South Sudan’s political stability. “These decisions signal a major political shift that could have far-reaching consequences,” he warned.