South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has removed the country’s military chief, Dau Aturjong, and reinstated his predecessor, Paul Nang Majok, in a move that adds to the relentless turnover within the ranks of South Sudan’s military and government.
This decision comes as Kiir contends with armed conflict and speculation about his eventual succession.
Kiir had sacked Majok as military chief just seven months prior, replacing him with Aturjong, but now Majok is back in the role.
The reasons behind this sudden change are not clear, but analysts say Kiir’s repeated shake-ups of the government and security apparatus are aimed at consolidating his hold on power and keeping various factions satisfied.
The move comes amid renewed fighting in the northeast, where the military was briefly overrun by a militia from First Vice President Riek Machar’s Nuer ethnic group.
Machar, Kiir’s main rival during the 2013-2018 civil war, was placed under house arrest in March and later charged with treason, murder, and crimes against humanity. Machar has denied the allegations, and his detention has reignited fears of a return to full-blown civil war.
The 2018 peace and power-sharing agreement remains fragile, with ongoing concerns about the country’s stability and security.
U.N. investigators have accused South Sudanese leaders of “systematic looting” of the nation’s wealth for their personal gain, further exacerbating the country’s challenges.
