President Sacks Army Chief, Finance Minister

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has dismissed the country’s military chief and the finance minister, who had held his post for less than three months, according to state media reports late Wednesday.

The removals are the latest in a series of frequent changes at the top levels of Kiir’s administration in recent years.

Analysts say these moves reflect efforts to consolidate power amid growing uncertainty over presidential succession.

The ousted army chief, General Paul Nang, had served in the role since October, but his tenure came under increasing scrutiny as security conditions in the country deteriorated.

The dismissed finance minister, Salvatore Garang Mabiordit, had been in office only since February 23.

Kiir has reappointed General Santino Deng Wol as the new army chief, the South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation reported. Wol, who hails from the same Bahr El Gazal region as Kiir, is a close presidential ally and previously held the same army post from 2020 to 2024.

According to state media, the new finance minister is Kuol Daniel Ayulo, a career technocrat who previously served as undersecretary in both the finance and trade ministries.

South Sudan continues to struggle with fully implementing key reforms outlined in the 2018 peace agreement that ended a five-year civil war, including the unification of armed forces and the holding of national elections.