By Latiifah Amusan
President Salva Kiir Mayardit of South Sudan announced a swift cabinet reshuffle on Monday night, relieving a state governor and three national ministers of their duties.
The shake-up, revealed by the state-owned South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC), left citizens and the international community in suspense as the reasons behind the dismissals were not disclosed.
The dismissed officials include key figures such as Presidential Affairs Minister Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin, Minister of Trade and Industry Kuol Athian Mawien, Minister of Public Service Bangasi Joseph Bakasoro, and Warrap State Governor Manhiem Bol Malek, the latter being ousted amid rising communal violence in the region.
In a move raising eyebrows, President Kiir appointed allies from the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) to fill the vacated positions.
Notably, Bangasi Joseph Bakasoro, once a rebel leader against Kiir’s government before a 2018 peace deal, is now the Minister of Presidential Affairs.
Observers speculate whether this move is linked to Bakasoro’s political influence in Western Equatoria state, as South Sudan gears up for its first elections in December 2024.
Prominent political observer Edmund Yakani emphasized the need for the cabinet reshuffle to catalyze positive political change.
He called on the newly appointed officials to prioritize crucial issues, including the organization of a presidential meeting, timely payments to civil servants, and decisive actions to curb violence in Warrap State.
