South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has dismissed key government officials including his foreign and trade ministers, according to an official announcement made Wednesday.
The South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation reported late Wednesday that Kiir had removed Semeya Kumba from his position as foreign minister and dismissed Atong Kuol Manyang from the trade minister role.
The personnel changes also included the removal of Mawien Mawien Ariik from his role as director general of the Internal Security Bureau within the National Security Service. Kiir named Akec Tong Aleu as Ariik’s replacement.
Officials provided no reasons for the dismissals, which represent the most recent round of government restructuring under Kiir’s administration.
Political observers note that Kiir frequently reshuffles military and government positions as a strategy to maintain his grip on power while dealing with ongoing armed conflicts and questions surrounding his eventual successor.
