By South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has reinstated Dr. James Wani Igga as Vice President in charge of the Economic Cluster, ending days of speculation and setting off one of the most sweeping political reshuffles in recent years.
Igga, a veteran liberation-era ally who first became vice president in 2013, was dismissed earlier this year. His return comes after the abrupt removal of Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel, who briefly held the position. Bol Mel a businessman-turned-political heavyweight was last week stripped of both the vice presidency and the deputy chairmanship of the ruling SPLM, as well as the four-star general rank he received in September 2025. Kiir also fired him from the National Security Service. No reasons were given, though the moves followed reports of internal power struggles and alleged misuse of public funds.
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Igga was simultaneously reinstated as first deputy chair of the SPLM, a post he lost in May.
In the same reshuffle, President Kiir dismissed four national ministers: Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth, Roads and Bridges Minister Simon Mijok Mijak, Environment Minister Josephine Napwon Cosmos, and Justice Minister Joseph Geng Akech.
Makuei who has overseen the information portfolio for over a decade and is known for strict media controls was reassigned as Justice Minister, a role he previously occupied before independence in 2011.
Geng Akech, appointed in September and closely associated with Bol Mel, was dropped without a new posting. He recently played a key role in advancing the ongoing trial of suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar.
Kiir appointed former presidential press secretary Ateny Wek Ateny as the new Information Minister. Ateny served nine years in the presidency before his removal in 2022.
For the Roads and Bridges docket, former SPLM secretary-general Peter Lam Both replaces Mijok. Mabior Garang, son of SPLM founding leader Dr. John Garang, was appointed Minister of Environment. It remains unclear whether his appointment could affect the position of his mother, Vice President Rebecca Nyandeng de Mabior, who represents the Former Detainees (FDs) in the unity government.
The president dismissed Inspector General of Police Gen. Abraham Manyuat Peter and reinstated Gen. Saeed Chawul Lom, who previously served as police chief between 2017 and 2018.
In Central Equatoria State, Kiir removed Governor Rabi Mujung Emmanuel and reinstated Emmanuel Adil Anthony, who served from 2020 until his dismissal in 2024.
Regina Akur Nyok was appointed South Sudan’s Deputy Ambassador to China, days after being named Deputy Office Manager in the Office of the President. Monica Achol Aguek was reinstated as a Grade One Ambassador and named Presidential Envoy for the Middle East.
No reasons were provided for any of the appointments or dismissals.
The agreement grants Kiir sweeping appointment powers at national and state levels. South Sudan has not held an election since independence in 2011, with polls repeatedly postponed. The transitional government now plans general elections for December 2026.
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