President Salva Kiir Mayardit has dismissed several senior officials, including Vice President Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel, Central Bank Governor Addis Ababa Othow, and Commissioner General of the South Sudan Revenue Authority Simon Akuei.
According to presidential decrees read on South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) on Wednesday evening, Dr. Bol Mel has been relieved of his duties as Vice President, stripped of his rank in the National Security Service, demoted from General to Private, and removed from his position as First Deputy Chairperson of the ruling SPLM party.
The statement, signed by Press Secretary Oyiti Yoanes Akol Ajawin, described the circulating claims as “unfounded rumors” and affirmed that Dr. Bol Mel was “actively performing his official duties” in line with President Kiir’s vision for peace and national development.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Office of the Vice President released a statement denying widespread reports of Bol Mel’s impending removal.
Just hours before the decrees were announced, Dr. Bol Mel met with Somali Ambassador Jamal Hassan Khalif in Juba to discuss strengthening bilateral and economic ties between South Sudan and Somalia.
The talks reportedly focused on trade, infrastructure, and investment cooperation.
The decrees also announced the removal of Prof. Paul Logali as SPLM Secretary General, replacing him with Akol Paul Kordit.
Kiir also replaced Addis Ababa with Yeni Samuel Costa as the new Bank of South Sudan Governor.
