South Sudan: President sacks his two vice-presidents, key officials in surprise reshuffle

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has dismissed on February 11 two of his Vice-presidents, the nation’s spy chief, and several senior officials, with no explanation provided for the moves.

The shake-up, announced through a series of presidential decrees read on State television, comes amidst ongoing tensions in the country, which has struggled to implement the 2018 peace Agreement designed to end its civil war.

South Sudan, which became an independent nation in 2011, has been deeply affected by political infighting since its formation, particularly between President Kiir and his deputy, Riek Machar.

Among the notable removals are James Wani Igga, a long-time vice-president and senior figure in the SPLM party, and Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, a member of a smaller opposition alliance. Akol has been reassigned to the role of agriculture minister, replacing Josephine Joseph Lagu from the same alliance, who now becomes a vice-president. Benjamin Bol Mel, who has been accused of corruption and sanctioned by the US in 2017, replaces Igga as vice-president, fueling speculation that he could be groomed as Kiir’s potential successor. The changes also include the sacking of Akec Tong Aleu, the country’s spy chief, who had only been in office for four months.

Despite the reshuffle, there were no replacements announced for the health minister or the governor of Western Equatoria, both of them being from Machar’s party.

Kiir’s power to make such decisions is derived from the 2018 peace agreement, although he must consult with opposition parties for the dismissal of their members. South Sudan has not held an election since its independence, and the country’s leadership recently postponed its scheduled polls for a third time, now set for December 2026.