President Kiir makes major reshuffles in finance, police and army
In the decree read on Monday evening, the President effected changes in top leadership in the SSPDF, police and the Central Bank
By Emmanuel Mandella
South Sudan President Salva Kiir, on Monday evening issued a series of decrees, relieving from duty key officials from the country’s security and financial sectors.
In a Presidential decree read on state broadcast SSBC, President Kiir relieved the country’s Chief of Defense Forces, General Santino Deng Wol, and in a separate decree, reassigned him to the position of Undersecretary of Veteran Affairs in the Ministry of Defense.
General Wol, who has served as Chief of Defense Forces since May 2021, took helm at a crucial point in the life of the country’s military and of the nation as a whole, having to mitigate between civilian-military conflicts, and also address issues of border invasion.
Replacing Wol is Lieutenant General Paul Nang Majok, whose appointment as the new Chief of Defense Forces comes with high expectations.
Gen. Majok, a career military officer, is anticipated to bring fresh strategies to address ongoing conflicts, particularly in areas grappling with intercommunal violence and armed militia activities.
President Kiir also fired Gen. Atem Marol Biar, the Inspector General of Police, whose tenure as the police boss was marked by a mixed scorecard in the unit. During his tenure, Gen. Biar saw massive recruitment and training of police officers, marking a campaign of reforming the country’s police unit.
However, there were also reports of rising crime rates in the country, especially in the capital Juba, among other urban areas. His successor, Abraham Peter Manyuat, will wear the task of continuing to reform the South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS) and improving public safety.
Furthermore, President Kiir also relieved Dr. James Alic Garang as Governor of the Bank of South Sudan (BoSS), reinstating Johnny Ohisa, who previously held the role.
Dr. Garang, whose tenure saw an introduction of various reforms in the financial services sector, and at the same time faced significant challenges, especially the drop in strength of the pound amid biting inflation and skyrocketing basic commodity prices, also had a call.
Ohisa’s return signals a shift in the government’s monetary policy direction, as he is expected to prioritize financial inclusion and ensure liquidity in a struggling economy.
General Santino Deng Wol rose through the ranks during the Sudanese civil war, gaining prominence as a frontline commander in the SPLA. However, his tenure had a mixed bag of fortunes.
General Atem Marol Biar, a veteran police officer whose career has spanned decades, had the onus task of modernizing the police force and addressing public security.
Johnny Ohisa previously served as Governor of BoSS until 2023, leaving behind a mixed legacy of attempting to stabilize the national currency while struggling to address corruption within the banking system.
The recent changes come at a critical time for South Sudan as the government navigates the challenges of implementing the revitalized peace agreement, addressing intercommunal violence, and revitalizing the economy.
“The reshuffle reflects the President’s acknowledgment of the need to deepen efficiency in critical sectors. However, these appointments must be accompanied by tangible reforms to restore public trust,” commented a senior political analyst in Juba.
As citizens await the impact of these changes, the focus will remain on how the new appointees address the pressing issues of security and economic management.
“The reshuffle reflects the President’s acknowledgment of the need to deepen efficiency in critical sectors. However, these appointments must be accompanied by tangible reforms to restore public trust,” commented a senior political analyst in Juba.
