JUBA – South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Wednesday urged the newly appointed Vice President for Economic Cluster, Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel, to improve the economic sector.
Kiir was speaking on Wednesday at the swearing-in of Vice Presidents for Economic Cluster, Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel, and Josephine Lagu for Service Cluster at J-1.
“He directed the Vice President for Economic Cluster, Dr. Bol Mel, to carry out robust transformation in the economic sector through diversifying the economy and prioritizing agriculture in a bid to improve food security,” a statement from the Presidential Press Unit said.
For his part, Dr. Bol Mel, the new Vice President for the Economic Cluster, expressed his profound gratitude to President Kiir for the trust and confidence bestowed upon him.
“I am dedicated to advancing our economic agenda and working closely with H.E. to ensure South Sudan secures its rightful place in the region,” Dr. Mel said.
He pledged to serve the nation with loyalty, commitment, and devotion, emphasizing his determination to act without fear or failure in order to benefit the people of South Sudan and the SPLM.
Meanwhile, Josephine Lagu, Vice President for Service Cluster under the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) ticket, pledged never to let down the people of South Sudan.
“The collective responsibility of both the government and the citizens is to ensure the provision of essential services and improve living standards across the country,” she said.
On 10th February 2025, President Salva Kiir Mayardit dismissed Vice-Presidents James Wani Igga and Hussein Abdelbagi, along with National Security Service head Akech Tong Aleu, in a presidential decree read on South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation.
In a separate decree, Kiir appointed Benjamin Bol Mel to replace Wani Igga as vice president representing the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM).
Josephine Lagu, Chairperson of the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA), was appointed to replace Abdelbagi, who had held the position since 2020 under the terms of the revitalized peace agreement.
Kiir reassigned Wani Igga as Secretary-General of the ruling SPLM party after his removal as vice president.
