South Sudan’s Kiir sacks two vice presidents, spy chief in major shake-up

South Sudanese President, Salva Kiir, has dismissed two of his vice-presidents, the country’s spy chief, and other senior officials in a sweeping government reshuffle.

The sackings were announced through a series of presidential decrees read on state television, though no reasons were provided for the move.

South Sudan, which has five vice-presidents under a 2018 peace agreement to end its civil war, has struggled with internal power-sharing tensions. The oil-rich nation gained independence from Sudan in 2011 but descended into conflict after a fallout between Kiir and his deputy, Riek Machar.

Among those dismissed is James Wani Igga, a veteran politician and former Deputy Chairperson of Kiir’s party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM). He had served as vice-president since 2013.

Also removed is Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, a representative of the opposition South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA), which is distinct from Machar’s SPLM-In Opposition.

Kiir appointed Benjamin Bol Mel, a businessman sanctioned by the U.S. in 2017 for alleged corruption, to replace Igga. Mel, a former special presidential envoy, has been rumored as a potential successor to Kiir.

Meanwhile, Josephine Joseph Lagu, the former agriculture minister from Akol’s SSOA alliance, has now been appointed vice-president.

Kiir has yet to name replacements for the sacked spy chief, Akec Tong Aleu, who had only served four months, as well as the health minister and Western Equatoria governor, both from Machar’s party.

Under the 2018 peace deal, the president retains the authority to appoint and dismiss government officials at national and state levels.

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