South Sudan Leader Sacks Vice-President Benjamin Bol Mel

South Sudan President Salva Kiir has dismissed Vice-President Benjamin Bol Mel, a move that marks one of the most significant power shifts in Juba this year.

The decision, delivered through a presidential decree on state television, also included the removal of the central bank governor and the revenue authority chief — both considered close allies of Bol Mel.

Appointed in February as one of five vice-presidents, Bol Mel quickly became a dominant figure within government circles and was widely viewed as a possible successor to Kiir.

His removal follows growing political tension and signals a clear attempt by the president to reassert control over the ruling party and security apparatus.

• Kiir Removes Powerful Deputy as South Sudan Faces Rising Political Tensions
• Sacking of Benjamin Bol Mel Deepens Questions Over Juba’s Leadership Future
• South Sudan Power Shift Sparks Uncertainty Ahead of Delayed National Elections

No official explanation was given for the shake-up, but signs of a rift had emerged earlier. Bol Mel’s security detail was scaled back hours before the announcement, and he was recently stripped of his military rank of general. His influence had become a point of concern for rival factions within the political and military establishment.

Bol Mel’s record has long attracted scrutiny. He has been under U.S. sanctions since 2017 for alleged corruption, and a recent U.N. report accused companies linked to him of receiving more than $1.7 billion for infrastructure projects that never materialized. His rapid ascent and financial networks had unsettled several senior figures in government.

South Sudan, which gained independence in 2011, continues to navigate instability. The country is still recovering from a devastating civil war that left an estimated 400,000 dead and created deep political fractures. With national elections repeatedly delayed and violence persisting in several regions, the removal of such a powerful figure injects fresh uncertainty into the political landscape.

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The shake-up raises new questions about succession, internal power struggles, and the direction of Kiir’s administration as South Sudan edges toward long-promised democratic reforms.