Salva Kiir brings back his former deputy and makes extensive government reshuffles news

South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit announced – on Monday – broad changes in his government, which included the return of former Vice President James Wani Igga to his position, and the dismissal of a number of ministers and senior officials, in a move for which the president did not provide any explanation.

Under a series of decrees broadcast on state television, Salva Kiir reappointed Iga as Vice President about 9 months after his dismissal, succeeding Benjamin Paul Mille, who was relieved of his position last week.

Iga was also restored to his party position as First Vice President of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement.

In a remarkable step, Mabor Garang Mabor, the son of state founder John Garang, who died in a helicopter crash in 2005, returned to the government as Minister of Environment.

The amendments also included the dismissal of the police chief, General Abraham Manoyat, and the appointment of General Said Chaol Lom as his successor.

The Minister of Justice, Joseph Geeng Akech, was dismissed and replaced by the Minister of Information, Michael Makuei Lueth, while Ateny Wek Ateny, the former presidential spokesman, took over the information portfolio.

The President dismissed the Minister of Roads and Bridges, Simon Mijok Mijak, and appointed Peter Lam Booth as his replacement. He also dismissed the Governor of Central Equatoria State, Robbie Mojong, and appointed Emmanuel Adele Anthony as his successor.

Political background

Salva Kiir did not provide any explanations for these dismissals, but the peace agreement signed in 2018 gives him broad powers to appoint and dismiss officials, with the requirement that the leadership of other parties approve changes affecting their representatives.

South Sudan seceded from Sudan in 2011, but quickly descended into civil war in 2013 after Salva Kiir accused his then-deputy Riek Machar of attempting a coup.

Despite signing a peace agreement in 2015, the agreement collapsed after one year, before it was renewed in 2018, and it still exists despite the challenges, as Machar, the first vice president, has been under house arrest since last March.