Salva Kiir Conducts Another Late Night Cabinet, Security Massacre, Returns Iga for VP and Dismisses Ministers

Juba, South Sudan — President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Monday night executed one of his most dramatic political shake-ups in years, reinstating Dr James Wani Igga as Vice President in charge of the Economic Cluster while simultaneously dismissing several senior ministers, ambassadors and security chiefs.

The reshuffle follows closely on the heels of the humiliating removal of Benjamin Bol Mel, who was stripped of all his ranks and expelled from the presidency’s inner circle.

Dr Igga, a veteran of the liberation struggle and one of the SPLM’s most enduring political figures, makes a major return not only as vice president but also as First Deputy Chairman of the SPLM. His reinstatement is widely interpreted as an attempt by Kiir to stabilise government operations and restore order to a political landscape unsettled by Bol Mel’s acrimonious downfall.

In the same decrees, Kiir removed four influential ministers , Michael Makuei Lueth, Joseph Geng Akech, Josephine Napuon and Simon Mijok Mijak. Their dismissal ended years of service for some of South Sudan’s most recognisable political figures particularly Makuei Lueth, who had been the government spokesperson since independence.

To fill some of the newly vacated positions, Kiir appointed Ateny Wek Ateny a critique of fallen Benjamin Bol Mel as Minister of Information. Ateny previously served as presidential press secretary and returns to government in a more powerful role. Mabior Garang de Mabior, the son of the late Dr John Garang, was appointed Minister of Environment and Forestry in a significant political comeback.
Peter Lam Both was named Minister of Roads and Bridges, replacing Simon Mijok Mijak in that docket.

Kiir also made sweeping changes in the diplomatic corps. Regina Akur Nyok was appointed Deputy Ambassador to China, while Monica Achol Abel Kuek returned to service as a Grade-1 Ambassador and Presidential Envoy to the Middle East.

The security sector was not spared, with Gen Abraham Manyuat Peter removed from his position as Inspector General of Police. Gen Sayid Chawul Long was appointed to head the South Sudan National Police Service.

At the state level, Kiir accepted the resignation of Emmanuel Rabi as Governor of Central Equatoria and reinstated Emmanuel Adil Anthony, who previously held the same position. The move restores familiar leadership in a state often considered the political heartbeat of the country.

The dramatic changes come against a backdrop of intensifying political tension within the ruling SPLM and rising competition over succession and influence. Benjamin Bol Mel’s disgraceful dismissal last week sent shockwaves through the country’s political establishment.

Once seen as one of Kiir’s most trusted allies, his fall was swift and severe, with his ranks, influence and future prospects wiped out in a matter of hours.

By bringing back Igga and simultaneously rotating key ministries, diplomatic positions and security commands, Kiir appears to be re-engineering the political hierarchy to restore predictability and consolidate loyalty.

The appointments signal an attempt to strike a balance between veteran liberation-era figures and younger technocrats while tightening the president’s grip on the state machinery.

Whether this reorganisation ushers in a more stable period in Juba or points to deeper internal fractures within the SPLM remains unclear. What is evident, however, is that President Kiir has once again demonstrated his readiness to overhaul the highest levels of leadership with little warning, reshaping the political terrain as he sees fit and reaffirming his dominance at a time of heightened uncertainty.