South Sudan President Dismisses Central Bank Governor Amid Economic Turmoil

By Deborah Akur Chol, South Sudan

In a significant shakeup within South Sudan’s financial leadership, President Salva Kiir Mayardit announced the dismissal of Johnny Ohisa Domian, the governor of the Bank of South Sudan, on Monday. This change comes as the nation confronts soaring inflation and a deepening economic crisis.

The president appointed Addis Ababa Othow, the bank’s first deputy governor, as the new governor, following a presidential decree. No official explanation was provided for Domian’s removal, but South Sudan has been facing critical cash shortages in local currency, leading to months of unpaid salaries for government employees.

Othow has been serving as first deputy governor since February 2025 before stepping into the role of governor. In a related decision, Samuel Yanga Mikaya, who held the position of first deputy governor from October 2023 to December 2024, has been reappointed to that role.

Additionally, President Kiir appointed Joseph Awur Ajak as the new general manager of the state electricity corporation, replacing Bech Awan Deng, who will now serve as a technical adviser at the Ministry of Energy and Dams.

The economic landscape in South Sudan has been challenging in recent years, primarily due to ongoing political instability and disruptions in oil production the country’s main source of revenue exacerbated by the conflict in neighboring Sudan