![Wani Igga and Bol Mel. [Photo courtesy]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Halfaya-Bridge-crossing-.png?resize=1024%2C576&ssl=1)
The move comes amid growing rumors about Kiir’s health and his possible replacement by businessman Benjamin Bol Mel, a native of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, who was appointed vice president in the latest shake-up.
In a series of presidential decrees read on the state-owned South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) on Monday night, Kiir removed Vice Presidents James Wani Igga and Hussein Abdelbagi Akol from their positions. Wani, the country’s longest-serving vice president, was replaced by Bol Mel, a prominent businessman and former presidential envoy.
A close ally of Kiir, Wani was first appointed vice president in August 2013, replacing opposition leader Riek Machar, who now serves as First Vice President under the 2018 revitalized peace agreement. He was representing Kiir’s SPLM faction in the presidency.
Abdelbagi, leader of the South Sudan Patriotic Movement (SSPM), was appointed to the position in 2020 as part of the revitalized peace deal. He was replaced by Josephine Lago Yanga, chairperson of the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) and former minister of agriculture. Kiir then named Abdelbagi as the new minister of agriculture.
Abdelbagi’s dismissal follows months of internal power struggles within the SSOA. Lago, the SSOA chairperson, had previously urged Kiir to replace Abdelbagi as the alliance’s representative in the collegial presidency, as stipulated in the 2018 revitalized peace agreement sparking internal power wrangle.
The reshuffle extended beyond the vice presidency. Kiir dismissed Tut Gatluak Manimeh, the presidential envoy for the Middle East, and appointed him as South Sudan’s ambassador to Kuwait. Gatluak, who previously served as Kiir’s security advisor, was only appointed to the Middle East envoy role last month.
In another significant move, Kiir removed Peter Lam Both as secretary-general of the SPLM party and appointed James Wani Igga as his replacement. Wani’s new role marks a shift from his previous position as vice president.
The president also dismissed Akech Tong Aleu, the recently appointed director-general of the Internal Security Bureau (ISB) of the National Security Service (NSS). Tong, who took office in October 2024 after the removal of long-time ISB chief Akol Koor Kuc, was replaced by Charles Chiech Mayor, the deputy director-general for administration and finance, who will act in the role until a permanent appointment is made.
The reshuffle also saw the removal of Western Equatoria State Governor Alfred Futuyo and Health Minister Yolanda Awel Deng, both members of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) led by First Vice President Riek Machar. It remains unclear whether their dismissals were made at Machar’s request.
The cabinet changes come amid persistent rumors about Kiir’s health and his potential resignation. Speculation started to intensify in December 2022 when the president appeared to experience a health episode during a public event in Juba.
Since then, there has been widespread speculation that Kiir is preparing Bol Mel, a trusted confidant, as his successor.
The reshuffle also follows Kiir’s recent return from a working visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where discussions reportedly focused on economic partnerships. The timing of the dismissals has raised questions about whether Kiir is consolidating power or laying the groundwork for a leadership transition.
Kiir has a history of frequent cabinet reshuffles, often without clear explanations. In 2024, he removed an executive director just days after appointing them, highlighting his unpredictable approach to governance.
this is purely a tribal change who is Bol Mel in the hierarchy of the SPLM history Kirr wanted his relative to succeed him so that he can promote his ill plans of politics of ideality
Cry, Oh!!!!!
The hegemony and chaos that is being openly perpetuated by the jienge clan is taking the nation no where.
Whether it’s Kiir or Bol Mel….they wont make the nation progressive! South Sudan is DEAD with these so-called ”jienge leaders.”
Remove your under-wears and head straight to the mura-ta-bagara, my people. I cry for you!
Dr, Mel desvers credit, Dr. Wani has been there for life. Let my people go.
I personally will volunteer to tell the U.S. Administrant that VP Wani let us down. We want to hear Dr. Mels Message. I want to be one of those VP and I will ask South Sudanese for only six month, If I Do not deliver under Dr. Mels directives, I will honestly resign, Hon Wani and so manty other s have been there for thousands years. So what? So even in the U.S sector We see reform in pentagon. Let South Sudanese not fight no more because we have week leaders. No, No, No more war.
Anyone advocating for war is going to find the war. Security, safety, and welding of our people is what the Nation existed for. we may Dis agree with Dr, Mel let us see what Difference he can make. Future of South Sudan and advancement is what we are looking at and advocating for.
We all acknowledge bad things have happened, The Two fired VP has no excuse after all under president kiir’s leadership they produce 0 except Keeping their VP poison.
Dr, Mel PHD Holder, is what I and my colleagues in Washington, are watching and Monitoring, Dr, Mel Sudan peace Act ( SPA) is my and collogues work I/we can prove to your leadership that folks let president Kiir Down, Instead of Supporting the president since 2005 -2015, All the Vice presidency we are a liability to the president. They consume all the resources and produce zero. Runaway is normal, you want come back to do what when you have been here for 30 year. Let us open a new chapter. 3 years for VP is meaningful, I can talk to my leaders in Washington DC to give Dr, Mel chance since the two VP deliver zero,
I am for VP position nothing less, I can talk to the U.S. government (congress) State Department and the White House about the New initiative under Dr. Mel. I will reach out to the Churches to tell them that we are moving to the right direction. Look up Hearty Riitti. I am serious, Former VP Wani benefited more then any one instead of uplifting president so our diversity can see the light.
we need new emery. 2005-2025, fuck who was/is benefiting whing our country is in declining, we have several expertise who can come together and fix our economic opportunity, safety and security for all. I Know Dr. Mel can. Let us place our people first regardless where they are from and ensue them safety and freedom South Sudan will become like Rwanda, Uganda or Kenya Leaders,
Dr. Mel I wan see you in Washinton D.C. testifying before congress and sente so that you can serve our people. we are serious and want to move on the reforms VP had been silent 2005-2025. We are hear to rescue our country and so you are. Tribalism is a cancer, out of the politics. Ideas is what we cam disagree, Agree and figure out best way out. All the best,
Hearty Ritti
National Democratic Movement to the United Nations (NDM)/ NDM DESK Washington 2013- present