South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has removed Finance Minister Bak Barnaba Chol from office, just three months after his appointment, as part of a broader government reshuffle announced on state television.
Chol’s predecessor, Athian Diing Athian, was also fired two months into his tenure, highlighting the frequent changes in the country’s top economic role.
Kiir has appointed Salvatore Garang, an economist with a background in economic reforms, as the new finance minister.
Garang previously held the position from 2018 to 2020, a period marked by economic challenges and corruption allegations, including the allocation of $100,000 for his son’s funeral expenses.
Garang has not publicly addressed these allegations.
The reshuffle also saw the removal of several senior officials, including the commissioner general of the National Revenue Authority.
Analysts attribute Kiir’s frequent government changes to efforts to maintain control amid ongoing armed conflict and speculation about his succession.
This marks the ninth finance minister change since 2020, underscoring the instability in South Sudan’s economic leadership.
