Kiir sacks army chief, finance minister in surprise shake-up
South Sudan President Salva Kiir has dismissed the country’s army chief and finance minister in a sudden reshuffle that has heightened political anxiety in Juba and raised fresh questions about stability in the young nation. State media confirmed that the changes, announced late Wednesday, removed General Paul Nang from his position as army chief and […] The post Kiir sacks army chief, finance minister in surprise shake-up appeared first on Daily Star.
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South Sudan President Salva Kiir has dismissed the country’s army chief and finance minister in a sudden reshuffle that has heightened political anxiety in Juba and raised fresh questions about stability in the young nation.
State media confirmed that the changes, announced late Wednesday, removed General Paul Nang from his position as army chief and Salvatore Garang Mabiordit from the finance docket.
The two officials had served in their roles for only a short period, underscoring what analysts describe as growing volatility within the upper ranks of government.
The dismissals were immediately followed by new appointments, with Kiir reinstating General Santino Deng Wol, a long-time ally from Bahr el Ghazal, as head of the military. Kuol Daniel Ayulo, a veteran technocrat with experience in the finance sector, was named as the new finance minister.
The reshuffle is being interpreted as a move by Kiir to tighten control over key state institutions at a time of mounting economic and security pressure.
South Sudan continues to face a deepening financial crisis driven by declining oil revenues, currency instability and disruptions to export routes through neighbouring Sudan. The country relies on oil for the bulk of its national income.
The finance ministry changes come at a time when inflation has surged and the local currency has continued to weaken on parallel markets, worsening living conditions for millions.
At the same time, security concerns remain high, with reports of growing unrest in some regions and increasing strain on unpaid security forces.
Analysts say the removal of the army chief reflects ongoing efforts by the presidency to maintain firm control over the military, amid fears of factional divisions within the armed forces.
The appointment of General Wol, who previously held the same position, signals a return to trusted figures in the security establishment.
Humanitarian agencies estimate that more than 7 million people are currently facing severe food insecurity, adding pressure on a government already struggling to meet basic obligations.
The latest changes have also drawn attention across the region, with East African diplomats viewing the shake-up as a sign of continued instability in South Sudan, a country still recovering from years of civil conflict.
Neighbouring states, including Uganda and Kenya, have previously played key roles in peace mediation efforts, and observers warn that renewed instability in Juba could trigger fresh displacement across borders.
For now, the government has not provided detailed reasons for the dismissals, but officials insist the reshuffle is part of efforts to strengthen efficiency and restore stability in key sectors.
However, political analysts say the rapid turnover in top offices reflects deeper institutional fragility and a government increasingly reliant on loyalists to manage a widening crisis.
As the new ministers assume office, attention is now focused on whether the latest shake-up will stabilise the administration or further expose the cracks within South Sudan’s governing system.
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