President Salva Kiir of South Sudan has dismissed two vice-presidents and the spy chief amid ongoing political unrest and challenges to the 2018 peace agreement. This reshuffle appears aimed at consolidating power and reflects the complicated relationships within the government, particularly with Riek Machar’s party. No elections have been held since independence, with the next one delayed until December 2026, raising concerns about South Sudan’s political future.
South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has dismissed two vice-presidents, the nation’s spy chief, and several senior officials in a recent restructuring. The official announcements were made via state broadcaster, although no specific reasons were provided for these changes. This move comes amid ongoing challenges related to the 2018 peace agreement aimed at ending the civil war, which has led to continued political instability.
Under a peace deal signed in 2018, South Sudan established a power-sharing agreement that includes five vice-presidents. One of the vice-presidents relieved of duty is James Wani Igga, who has served since 2013 and is a prominent figure in the ruling SPLM party. The other vice-president removed is Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, who is affiliated with the South Sudan Opposition Alliance but is not part of Machar’s primary opposition group.
Benjamin Bol Mel replaces Igga as vice-president, a figure previously sanctioned by the U.S. for corruption allegations, furthering speculation about his potential candidacy for Kiir’s position. Meanwhile, no replacements have been named for the governor of Western Equatoria or the health minister, whose affiliations lie with Machar’s faction. Notably, Akec Tong Aleu, the dismissed spy chief, had only been in office for a brief four months.
President Kiir retains the authority to appoint and dismiss officials from other political parties subject to those parties’ leadership’s approval, as stipulated in the peace agreement. The implications of the recent dismissals for Machar’s party are uncertain, particularly as the SPLM-In Opposition has not issued statements regarding the removals. Thus far, South Sudan has not held elections since its independence in 2011, with the next scheduled for December 2026 after several delays due to ongoing conflict.
President Salva Kiir’s dismissal of two vice-presidents and the spy chief marks a significant political shift in South Sudan amid the ongoing challenges of their peace agreement. These changes reflect tensions within the government and highlight the complexities of governance in a nation still entangled in its recovery from civil war. As the political landscape evolves, future elections remain uncertain, further complicating stability efforts.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
