South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has dismissed Vice-President Benjamin Bol Mel, who had recently been considered a potential successor. This decision, made public through a decree on state television, included stripping Bol Mel of his military rank and removing him from the national security service. Additionally, the governor of the central bank and the head of the revenue authority, both seen as allies of Bol Mel, were also removed from their positions.
The reasons for these dismissals remain unclear. They occur amid rising concerns about political instability in South Sudan, particularly following the collapse of a fragile power-sharing agreement between Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar. Bol Mel, who was appointed vice-president in February, had succeeded veteran politician James Wani Igga. He was also named the first deputy chairman of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), which analysts indicated positioned him as a significant political figure.
In 2017, the U.S. imposed sanctions on Bol Mel due to allegations of corruption, a designation that was renewed earlier this year. Despite being labeled by U.S. officials as Kiir’s “principal financial advisor,” the South Sudanese government denies this characterization. Bol Mel has yet to publicly address the corruption allegations or his recent dismissal.
Following his removal, Kiir has not indicated who will fill the vacant positions. Speculation regarding an internal power struggle within the SPLM has circulated on social media. A senior government official noted that Bol Mel had been divisive within the administration.
South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011, has faced significant challenges, including a civil war that erupted in 2013 after a fallout between Kiir and Machar. Although a peace agreement in 2018 aimed to stabilize the country, the situation remains precarious, with escalating violence. Meanwhile, Machar himself has faced serious legal challenges, raising further questions about the political landscape and the potential for renewed conflict.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ceq0e7q7vl8o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss