South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has dismissed Vice President Benjamin Bol Mel, stripping him of his military rank of general and removing him from the national security service. Bol Mel, who was appointed in February as one of the country’s five vice presidents, had been seen as a potential successor to Kiir. The move is part of a broader shake-up, with Kiir also sacking the central bank governor and the head of the revenue authority, both considered close allies of Bol Mel.
The dismissals come amid growing fears of political instability and a possible return to civil war, following the collapse of a fragile power-sharing agreement between Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar. Bol Mel has been under US sanctions since 2017 for alleged corruption, and a UN report in September accused companies linked to him receiving $1.7 billion for road construction projects that were never completed.
The move has sparked concerns about the country’s political future, with planned elections postponed in 2022 and 2024. The situation remains uncertain, with tensions escalating between forces loyal to Kiir and various armed groups.
