On February 10, 2025, President Salva Kiir dismissed Vice President James Wani Igga and appointed Benjamin Bol Mel as his successor. Josephine Lagu was appointed Vice President for the services cluster, while General Akech Tong Aleu was replaced in the National Security Service. Health Minister Yolanda Awel Deng was also removed, with no replacement announced.
On February 10, 2025, South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir announced significant reshuffles within his administration, dismissing long-standing Vice President James Wani Igga and appointing Benjamin Bol Mel as his successor. This development was made public via the state-owned South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SBBC) on the evening of the announcement.
Additionally, President Kiir appointed Josephine Lagu to the position of Vice President overseeing the services cluster, filling the vacancy left by Hussein Abdelbagi Akol. Notably, both Akol and Lagu are affiliated with the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA), a coalition of various political entities in the nation. In a further administrative change, Kiir designated Abdelbagi as the new Minister of Agriculture.
In a broader security reshuffle, General Akech Tong Aleu was relieved of his role as head of the Internal Security Bureau of the National Security Service, with General Charles Chiek Mayo named as his interim successor while a permanent replacement is sought. It is worth noting that General Aleu had been in office since October 2024 after succeeding General Akol Koor.
Moreover, the President terminated the appointment of Health Minister Yolanda Awel Deng, who is associated with the armed opposition faction SPLM-IO, although a successor has not yet been named. Furthermore, Kiir appointed Tut Gatluak Manime, who had recently taken on the role of presidential envoy for the Middle East, as the Ambassador to Kuwait. Gatluak was previously in the position of security advisor to the President.
In summary, President Salva Kiir has undertaken significant changes in his administration, notably replacing key vice presidential roles and making various appointments within the cabinet and security services. These moves reflect ongoing political dynamics in South Sudan, particularly the involvement of members from opposition factions. The lack of an immediate replacement for the health minister highlights potential challenges within the government amidst these transitions.
Original Source: sudantribune.com
