Kiir sacks security advisor, external intelligence chief

JUBA – South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Wednesday dismissed his presidential security advisor and the head of external intelligence, according to a presidential decree read on state television.

The decree, broadcast on the South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC), announced the removal of Thoi Chany Reat as presidential security advisor and Simon Yien Makuach as Director-General of the General (External) Security Bureau.

Kiir promoted Thoi Chany to the rank of 1^st Lieutenant General in the National Security Service and appointed him as the new Director-General of the General Intelligence Bureau, the external arm of South Sudan’s National Security Service, responsible for foreign intelligence.

Army General Madut Dut Yel, also known as Gen. Abuk Abuk, was named as the new presidential advisor on security affairs.

Kiir did not provide reasons for the changes. The South Sudanese president has a history of appointing and dismissing government officials without explanation. Earlier this year, he appointed an office executive director on a Friday and dismissed him the following Monday.

Thoi, who is from the ethnic Nuer community and hails from Greater Fangak in Jonglei State, was appointed to his previous position in January, replacing Tut Gatluak, who was moved to the foreign service as an ambassador.

The decree also dismissed Kwaja Madol as the undersecretary of the ministry of trade and industry, replacing him with Acir John Manyot.

These changes occur amid increasing tensions in the country following clashes between the White Army and the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) in Upper Nile state and the subsequent detention of prominent opposition officials, including SPLM-IO leader Riek Machar, in Juba.

Observers have warned that South Sudan, the world’s youngest country, is at risk of returning to civil war, reminiscent of the conflicts that erupted in December 2013 and July 2016.

 

 

 

 

The head of state did not assign any new position for Yien Makuach, who was appointed into the position he was relieved from today in April 2021.