South Sudan President Salva Kiir drops two Vice Presidents in major cabinet reshuffle

South Sudan's President Salva Kiir Mayardit has removed two vice presidents and several senior officials in a sweeping late-night reshuffle, raising speculation about his political future and potential succession plans.

The changes, announced through presidential decrees on state-owned South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) on Monday night, saw Vice Presidents James Wani Igga and Hussein Abdelbagi Akol dismissed from their positions.

Their replacements signal a significant shift in the country's political landscape. In what is being viewed as a strategic realignment, businessman Benjamin Bol Mel, a prominent figure from Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, was appointed as vice president.

Bol Mel is rumoured to be Kiir's possible successor, adding intrigue to the reshuffle.

The rise of Bol Mel

Bol Mel replaces James Wani Igga, who had served as vice president since August 2013 after succeeding opposition leader Riek Machar. A close ally of Kiir, Wani has been a steadfast figure in South Sudan's political scene and represented Kiir's SPLM faction in the presidency.

His replacement by a businessman rather than a seasoned politician marks a significant departure. Hussein Abdelbagi, leader of the South Sudan Patriotic Movement (SSPM), was also relieved of his vice-presidential duties.

He was replaced by Josephine Lago Yanga, chairperson of the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) and former minister of agriculture.

Notably, Abdelbagi has been reassigned as the new minister of agriculture. Abdelbagi's removal comes after months of internal disputes within the SSOA.

Lago had previously lobbied for his replacement, citing the alliance's need for new representation under the 2018 revitalised peace agreement—a move that had sparked power struggles within the alliance.

President Kiir's reshuffle went beyond the vice presidency. Tut Gatluak Manimeh, the presidential envoy for the Middle East, was dismissed and appointed as South Sudan's ambassador to Kuwait.

Gatluak, who previously served as Kiir's security advisor, had only been appointed to the envoy position last month. The shake-up, consistent with Kiir's pattern of announcing major changes at night—particularly on Mondays—has once again left the nation speculating on his motives and long-term plans.