South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has removed his top military commander and finance minister from their positions, according to state media reports released Wednesday evening from the capital city of Juba.
The leadership shake-up represents the most recent example of ongoing personnel changes within Kiir’s administration that experts believe demonstrate his attempts to strengthen control during a period of uncertain political succession.
General Paul Nang, who lost his position as army chief, had held the role since October. His leadership faced growing criticism as security conditions deteriorated throughout the nation. Finance Minister Salvatore Garang Mabiordit was also terminated after serving only since April 23.
To replace the military leader, Kiir has brought back General Santino Deng Wol, according to the South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation. Wol, who comes from the same Bahr El Gazal region as the president, maintains close ties to Kiir and previously held the army chief position from 2020 through 2024.
The new finance minister will be Kuol Daniel Ayulo, a professional administrator with previous experience as an undersecretary in both the finance and trade ministries, state media announced.
The East African nation continues to face challenges in executing important reforms established in the 2018 peace deal that concluded five years of civil conflict, particularly combining military forces and conducting elections.
