Kiir dismisses vice-president Bol Mel amid rising political tensions in South Sudan

South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has dismissed one of his vice-presidents, Benjamin Bol Mel, in a surprise political shake-up that has heightened concerns about growing instability in the world’s youngest nation.

The dismissal, announced late Wednesday in a presidential decree broadcast on state television, also saw Kiir strip Bol Mel of his military rank of general and remove him from the National Security Service (NSS).

In the same decree, Kiir sacked the central bank governor and the head of the revenue authority, both known to be close allies of Bol Mel.

No official explanation was provided for the sweeping changes. However, the move comes amid mounting political tension and fears of renewed conflict following the collapse of a fragile power-sharing agreement between Kiir and longtime rival Riek Machar.

Bol Mel, 47, had been widely seen as a rising political star and a possible successor to the 74-year-old Kiir. Appointed vice-president in February 2025, he replaced veteran politician James Wani Igga and was soon elevated to first deputy chairman of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) — a position analysts say significantly strengthened his influence within the party and government.

Kiir’s later decision to promote Bol Mel to a full general in the NSS was viewed as a signal of trust and consolidation of power. His abrupt dismissal has therefore raised speculation of an internal rift within the ruling elite.

Political observers say the purge could deepen divisions within the SPLM and destabilize the fragile coalition government that has struggled to maintain peace since the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement ended years of civil war.

“This move suggests increasing insecurity at the top of government,” said a Juba-based political analyst who asked not to be named. “It could either be a preemptive step by the president to contain internal dissent or a sign that succession politics are now becoming a source of instability.”

South Sudan has endured years of political strife, economic crisis, and sporadic violence since gaining independence from Sudan in 2011. With elections scheduled for 2025, Kiir’s latest reshuffle may signal a new phase of political realignment — and possibly a return to confrontation among the country’s rival factions.