South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has dismissed two vice-presidents and the spy chief without providing reasons. James Wani Igga and Hussein Abdelbagi Akol are among those removed, with Akol now appointed Minister for Agriculture. Benjamin Bol Mel replaces Igga. The political situation remains tense as the nation prepares for delayed elections set for December 2026.
South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has recently dismissed two vice-presidents, the head of the National Security Service, and several senior officials as part of a series of presidential decrees broadcasted on state media. The announcements did not provide specific reasons for these substantial changes in leadership. The country has a total of five vice-presidents, established under a 2018 peace agreement intended to resolve a prolonged civil conflict.
Among those removed from their positions are James Wani Igga, a longstanding vice-president since 2013, and Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, representing an opposition alliance. Akol has since been appointed as the Minister for Agriculture, while Josephine Joseph Lagu, previously in that role, has taken up the vice-presidency.
Benjamin Bol Mel, who faced U.S. sanctions in 2017 over alleged corruption, has been designated to replace Igga as vice-president. Previously serving as a special presidential envoy, Mel has emerged as a potential successor to President Kiir, as speculated by political analysts. Kiir has not yet appointed new officials to replace the governor of Western Equatoria or the health minister.
Notably, Akec Tong Aleu, who had a brief tenure of just four months as the spy chief, has also been dismissed. The 2018 peace agreement endows the president with the authority to appoint and remove officials, with certain stipulations regarding political party leaders. Comments from the SPLM-In Opposition regarding the dismissals have not been forthcoming.
Since its independence in 2011, South Sudan has not held a national election. A nationwide vote had initially been planned for 2015 but was canceled due to a civil war. Although subsequent elections were slated for 2022, they were postponed once more, with the leadership now announcing the next vote will occur in December 2026.
The recent dismissal of two vice-presidents and senior officials reflects ongoing political volatility in South Sudan, a country that has struggled with leadership transitions since its independence. With elections delayed until 2026, the leadership changes may have significant implications for the political landscape as power dynamics continue to shift amidst unrelenting challenges. President Kiir’s choices will undoubtedly shape the future trajectory of the nation’s governance.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
