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South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has dismissed two of his vice-presidents, the country’s spy chief, and several senior officials in a sweeping reshuffle announced through presidential decrees on state television. No reasons were provided for the changes.
The shake-up comes as the country continues to navigate challenges stemming from a 2018 peace agreement aimed at ending years of civil war. South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011, has five vice-presidents as part of that power-sharing arrangement.
Key Figures Affected
Among those dismissed is James Wani Igga, a veteran politician and general who had served as vice-president since 2013 and was the deputy chair of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM).
Also removed is Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, a vice-president representing the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA), a smaller opposition bloc distinct from First Vice-President Riek Machar’s SPLM-In Opposition (SPLM-IO).
Akol has been reassigned as minister of agriculture, replacing Josephine Joseph Lagu from the same alliance. Lagu, in turn, has been appointed as a vice-president.
Benjamin Bol Mel, a businessman sanctioned by the US in 2017 for alleged corruption, will replace Igga as vice-president. Mel, previously a special presidential envoy, has been the subject of speculation regarding his potential as a future successor to Kiir.
Other Major Dismissals
Kiir also dismissed spy chief Akec Tong Aleu, who had been in office for only four months, as well as the health minister and the governor of Western Equatoria State—both members of Machar’s SPLM-IO. However, he has not yet named their replacements, raising questions about whether their removal was approved by Machar, as required under the peace deal.
Political Implications
Under the 2018 peace agreement, Kiir has the authority to appoint and dismiss government officials but must consult party leadership before removing those from other political groups. The SPLM-IO has not yet commented on whether it sanctioned the removal of its officials.
South Sudan has yet to hold an election since gaining independence. A national vote was initially scheduled for 2015 but was derailed by conflict. Subsequent elections, set for 2022, were postponed, and the country’s leadership has now pushed the polls to December 2026.
