By Spy Uganda Correspondent
Juba, South Sudan – South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has dismissed three national ministers in a sudden cabinet reshuffle, heightening speculation over growing political tensions between him and his First Vice President, Riek Machar.
The changes, announced Monday through a presidential decree broadcast on state television, removed Awut Deng Acuil as Minister of General Education, Ruben Madol Arol as Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, and Joseph Mum Majak as Minister of Trade and Industry. The presidency did not provide an official explanation for their removal.
Both Awut and Madol had served in their respective positions since 2020. Awut Deng Acuil, a long-serving government official, previously headed ministries responsible for gender, child welfare, and labor. Joseph Mum Majak, who was appointed Trade Minister less than a year ago in July 2024, was dismissed after a short tenure.
New Ministerial Appointments
In their place, President Kiir appointed:
- Dr. Wek Mamer Kuol as the new Justice Minister. Dr. Kuol previously served as a deputy cabinet minister before the outbreak of the civil war in 2013.
- Atong Kuol Manyang, daughter of Senior Presidential Adviser Gen. Kuol Manyang, was promoted from Deputy Governor of Jonglei State to Minister of Trade and Industry.
- Dr. Kuyok Abol Kuyok, an academic and author who has served as the Education Ministry’s Undersecretary since 2019, was named the new Minister of General Education.
The reshuffle is seen as part of President Kiir’s pattern of frequent ministerial changes. Analysts say these moves reflect his ongoing consolidation of power, often replacing officials months after their appointment.
Political Implications & Recent Moves
The dismissals come amid escalating tensions between Kiir and his First Vice President, Riek Machar. Last week, President Kiir appointed Dr. Riek Gai Kok, a member of Kiir’s Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) party, as Governor of Jonglei State. This role was initially allocated to the opposition South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) under the 2018 peace agreement. However, a revised 2023 deal transferred control of Jonglei State back to Kiir’s party in exchange for offering SSOA a deputy governor role or a national ministerial post.
Additionally, Kiir revoked the parliamentary appointments of three legislators from Northern Bahr el-Ghazal State, who represented Machar’s Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO). The ousted lawmakers—Bak Deng Nyang, Akec Fabio Goi, and Chan Deng Maror—were replaced by John Atak Garang Machar, Deng Nyawel Dhieu, and Wol Kuac Wol.
The President also removed several SPLM-IO members from the Northern Bahr el-Ghazal State Parliament, including Awaya Awaya Makuei, Victor Wol Guoth, Bol Akum Akum, Deng Wol Dheiu, and Theresa Awok Adup. They were replaced by Hajar Mataya, Majok Piol Mayen, Longar Aror, Maria Akum, and James Jem Then.
Furthermore, Kiir replaced Atak Garang Akec, another SPLM-IO member, with Bol Akum Akum as Minister for Local Government and Law Enforcement Agencies.
South Sudan’s fragile power-sharing government was formed in 2020 following a revitalized peace agreement aimed at ending years of civil war. However, political infighting and mistrust between Kiir’s SPLM and Machar’s SPLM-IO persist. The latest reshuffle and parliamentary dismissals underscore the ongoing political jockeying as the country moves toward long-delayed elections scheduled for late 2024.
President Kiir’s frequent cabinet changes and removal of opposition figures have raised concerns among international observers about the stability of the peace agreement and the inclusivity of South Sudan’s transitional government.
