South Sudan’s President, Salva Kiir has dismissed the military chief, police chief, and central bank governor in a sweeping leadership overhaul announced on the state-owned broadcaster SSBC late Monday.
The announcement did not specify reasons for the abrupt changes. Paul Nang Majok has been appointed as the new Chief of Defence Forces, replacing General Santino Wol. Security sources suggest the dismissals may be linked to discontent within the military, where some soldiers reportedly have not received wages for a year.
In addition to the military shake-up, Kiir replaced James Alic Garang as central bank governor, reinstating Johnny Ohisa Damian, who was dismissed from the same role in October 2023. Abraham Peter Manyuat was named the new Inspector General of Police, succeeding Atem Marol Biar.
Neither Army spokesperson Major General Lul Ruai Koang nor government spokesperson Michael Makuei provided immediate comments on the reasons for these changes.
The shake-up follows a period of instability within South Sudan’s leadership. In late November, an attempted arrest of the former intelligence chief sparked heavy gunfire in the capital, Juba. Earlier in October, Kiir removed Akol Koor Kuc, the long-serving head of the National Security Service, and replaced him with a close ally.
South Sudan has experienced frequent leadership changes in its financial and security sectors. In 2020 alone, the central bank governor was replaced twice.
The country’s economy remains fragile, weakened by the civil war that erupted in 2013, displacing a quarter of its population. Although a 2018 peace deal ended the five-year conflict, violence between rival communities continues.
South Sudan’s first national election since independence, initially delayed, has now been postponed to December 2026, underscoring the challenges facing the fragile peace process.
