South Sudan Shuffles Top Leaders in a Bid for Stability

The country’s president has recently made two big changes at the top of his government. He fired the army chief and a finance minister who had only been in office for a short time. These moves come as the president tries to tighten his grip on power during a period of uncertainty about who will succeed him. The army chief, General Paul Nang, had taken command in October. His time in charge was under fire as violence and insecurity increased across the country. The finance minister, Salvatore Garang Mabiordit, had started his job in late April but was let go after just a few weeks. The reasons for their dismissals were not fully explained, but analysts say they reflect the president’s desire to keep control.A familiar face has been brought back into the military leadership. General Santino Deng Wol, who previously led the army from 2020 to 2024 and is a close ally of the president, has been named the new chief. Wol comes from the same region as the president and is trusted to keep the military aligned with his agenda. In the finance department, a technocrat named Kuol Daniel Ayulo has taken over. He had worked as an undersecretary in the finance ministry and the trade ministry before this promotion. His appointment suggests a move toward more experienced, less politically tied individuals in key economic roles. South Sudan still faces many challenges from its 2018 peace deal. The agreement, which ended a five‑year civil war, called for merging the armed forces and holding elections. Implementing these reforms has been slow, adding pressure on leaders to make swift changes in hopes of restoring stability.