Kiir appoints new spy chief, replaces press secretary

JUBA – South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Monday promoted and confirmed General Charles Ciec Mayor as the new director-general of the National Security Service’s (NSS) Internal Security Bureau (ISB), a week after appointing him as acting chief of the bureau. Kiir also named a new presidential press secretary in a series of presidential decrees.

The appointments, announced on the state-owned South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC), follow last week’s dismissal of General Akech Tong Aleu as head of the ISB. Mayor who was the deputy director-General for administration and finance was initially tasked as acting ISB chief on Monday last week to replace Aleu but was promoted to the rank of general and confirmed in the role on Monday.

Lieutenant General Chol Agoth Deng was appointed deputy director-general of the ISB, while NSS officer Kon Anok also received a promotion.

The president also replaced his press secretary, Lily Adhieu Martin Manyiel, who had held the position since 2022. Manyiel, the first woman to serve as presidential spokesperson since South Sudan’s independence in 2011, was reassigned as a grade one ambassador to Ethiopia. David Amuor Majur was appointed as the new press secretary.

Kiir did not provide reasons for the changes but cited his presidential powers under the transitional constitution.

The moves come amid ongoing tensions over last week’s removal of the governor of Western Equatoria State and the national minister of health, both members of the main opposition party SPLM-IO, led by First Vice President Riek Machar.

Kiir has yet to name replacements for the two officials, whose removal last week sparked outcry from Machar’s party.

The SPLM-IO accused Kiir of violating the revitalized peace agreement, which stipulates that nominating parties must be consulted before the removal of officials they nominated.

The party said it was not consulted on the dismissals, calling the move a breach of the peace deal.