President Salva Kiir of South Sudan has dismissed Army Chief Gen. Santino Deng Wol and Central Bank Governor James Alic Garang Alic, among other officials. General Paul Nang Majok and Johnny Ohisa Damian have been appointed as their replacements, respectively. The reasons behind these changes remain undisclosed, coinciding with investigations into a recent violent incident involving a former intelligence chief.
On December 9, 2024, South Sudanese President Salva Kiir executed a significant reshuffle within the country’s military and financial leadership by dismissing key officials. The changes included the removal of Army Chief of Staff General Santino Deng Wol, who was replaced by General Paul Nang Majok. Additionally, Kiir appointed General Wok as the Undersecretary in the Defense and Veterans Affairs ministry, succeeding Atak Santino Majak.
Furthermore, the president relieved Governor James Alic Garang Alic of the Bank of South Sudan of his duties and reinstated Johnny Ohisa Damian in the position he previously held. In another directive, General Abraham Peter Manyuat was appointed as the new Inspector General of the South Sudan Police Service, taking over from General Atem Marol Biar. Additionally, Garang Majak was dismissed as the first undersecretary of the Finance ministry, with Arop Nuoi Arop appointed in his stead.
The rationale behind these leadership adjustments remains undisclosed. The timing of the announcements coincides with President Kiir’s recent ordering of investigations into a violent incident that resulted in fatalities at the residence of former intelligence chief General Akol Koor Kuc. The connection between the military reshuffle and this incident remains speculative, lacking official clarification.
The political landscape in South Sudan has been tumultuous since its independence in 2011. The country has faced ongoing conflict, economic challenges, and leadership disputes, which have necessitated strategic changes in government positions. The sacking of high-ranking officials is often indicative of broader attempts to restore stability or redirect military and financial policies to address domestic issues. This latest reshuffle by President Kiir appears part of ongoing efforts to manage security and governance in the nation following recent violence that raised concerns about internal safety and order.
In summary, President Salva Kiir’s recent dismissals of military and banking leaders signify a critical moment in South Sudan’s ongoing efforts to restructure its governance and security apparatus. While the exact motivations for these changes remain unclear, they coincide with a broader context of instability and violence in the nation, suggesting a potential drive towards reestablishing control and confidence in state institutions.
Original Source: sudantribune.com
