South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has dismissed two vice presidents, the head of national intelligence, and several high-ranking officials in a sweeping government shake-up. The announcement was made through a series of presidential decrees broadcast on state television, though no official explanation was provided for the abrupt changes.
The move comes as the country continues to navigate the fragile political landscape established under the 2018 peace agreement, which ended a brutal civil war. Under the deal, South Sudan operates with five vice presidents in a power-sharing arrangement. However, tensions within the coalition have persisted, raising questions about the stability of the government.
Among those removed from office is James Wani Igga, a long-time political figure and military general who has served as vice president since 2013. Igga, also the deputy chair of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), has been a key ally of Kiir.
The second vice president dismissed is Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, who represents an opposition alliance separate from the SPLM-In Opposition, led by First Vice President Riek Machar. However, Akol has been reassigned to lead the Ministry of Agriculture, replacing Josephine Joseph Lagu, who is from the same alliance. Lagu, in turn, has been appointed as a vice president.
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In another significant change, Benjamin Bol Mel, a businessman sanctioned by the U.S. in 2017 over alleged corruption, has been appointed as vice president, filling the seat left vacant by Igga. Mel previously served as a special presidential envoy for special programs and has been widely speculated to be a potential successor to President Kiir.
Additionally, the head of South Sudan’s national intelligence agency, Akec Tong Aleu, was dismissed just four months after his appointment in October. However, no replacement has been named for the position.
The reshuffle also affects the governor of Western Equatoria State and the Minister of Health, both members of Machar’s SPLM-In Opposition. It remains unclear whether their removal was approved by their party leader, as required under the terms of the 2018 peace deal. The SPLM-In Opposition has yet to release a statement on the matter.
Since gaining independence from Sudan in 2011, South Sudan has faced repeated cycles of conflict and instability. The country descended into civil war in 2013 after a fallout between President Kiir and Vice President Machar, leading to years of violence and displacement.
While the 2018 peace deal aimed to create a more inclusive government, political tensions and delays in implementation have persisted. South Sudan has yet to hold a national election since independence. Originally scheduled for 2015, the vote was postponed due to the outbreak of conflict. It was later rescheduled for 2022, then pushed back again, with the latest postponement setting the election for December 2026.
The latest government reshuffle raises fresh questions about the country’s political future and whether South Sudan’s leadership can maintain stability as the long-awaited elections approach.
