South Sudan President dismisses Vice-President, other Key officials

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit has dismissed Vice President Benjamin Bol Mel and removed him from his leadership role in the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) party, according to presidential decrees broadcast on SSBC State television on Wednesday.

Bol Mel was also demoted from general to private in the National Security Service. The decrees additionally removed Paul Logale as SPLM Secretary General, appointing Akol Paul Kordit as his replacement, while Addis Ababa Othow was dismissed as governor of the Bank of South Sudan and Simon Akuei was sacked as commissioner general of the South Sudan Revenue Authority, with William Anyuon Kuol named as his successor.

Earlier on Wednesday, Bol Mel’s office had denied social media claims that he was under house arrest or had his security withdrawn, stating he continued to implement President Kiir’s vision for a prosperous and self-reliant South Sudan.
No successor has been named for the vice presidency. Bol Mel had been appointed vice president in February to replace Wani Igga, representing the SPLM. South Sudan’s government maintains a unique structure of five vice presidents, established under the 2018 peace agreement.