President Salva Kiir. [Photo: Courtesy]JUBA – President Salva Kiir on Wednesday announced a sweeping government reshuffle, dismissing both the country’s finance minister and the army chief in a fresh move that marks further volatility within South Sudan’s transitional government.
In a series of Republican Decrees broadcast on the state-run South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC), Kiir removed Salvatore Garang Mabiordit from his position as Minister of Finance and Planning, three months after his appointment, replacing him with Kuol Daniel Avulo.
The changes at the finance ministry come amid persistent economic pressures, including inflation and fiscal instability, though no official explanation was provided for the minister’s dismissal.
The president also sacked Gen. Paul Nang Majok as Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), appointing Gen. Santino Deng Wol as his successor. The decision marks yet another leadership shift at the helm of the military, a position that has seen frequent turnover over the past year.
Gen. Nang has been reassigned as Undersecretary for Veterans’ Affairs in the Ministry of Defence, effectively swapping roles with Gen. Deng Wol, who previously held the position. Deng Wol returns to the army’s top command after serving as CDF from 2021 to 2024.
However, his reappointment is likely to draw scrutiny. Deng Wol has been under sanctions by the United Nations Security Council since July 1, 2015, under Resolution 2206 (2015), over his alleged role in actions that escalated the conflict in South Sudan and undermined reconciliation efforts.
Wednesday’s reshuffle extended beyond the security and finance sectors. Clement Juma Mbugonvia was appointed Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, while Mahjoub Biel Turuk, a former governor of Jonglei State, was named Deputy Minister of Public Service and Human Resource Development, replacing Julius Tabuley Daniel.
The removal of Gen. Nang marks the end of his second stint as CDF, having been reappointed in October 2025. He previously held the same position from January to July 2025, before being replaced by Gen. Dau Aturjong Nyuol, who served briefly until October.
The rapid succession of leadership changes within the military highlights the fluid nature of command structures in South Sudan’s security sector. Analysts say such frequent reshuffles may reflect ongoing efforts by the presidency to consolidate control, manage internal dynamics, and respond to evolving security challenges.
While the government has not publicly outlined the rationale behind the latest changes, the simultaneous overhaul of key economic and security positions signals a significant recalibration within Kiir’s administration. All decrees took immediate effect upon announcement.
