Kiir sacks finance and security chiefs, reappoints Tut Gatluak and Barnaba Bak

JUBA — South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Monday announced a sweeping government reshuffle, dismissing several senior officials in the security, finance, and petroleum sectors, and reinstating key allies Tut Gatluak Manimeh and Barnaba Bak Chol to powerful positions.

In the decrees readout on the state-owned South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC), Kiir reappointed Tut Gatluak Manimeh as Presidential Advisor on National Security, replacing Madut Biar Yel, who was relieved of his duties through a decree read on state television.

Gatluak, a longtime confidant of Kiir and the country’s chief peace negotiator, previously held the same post from 2016 until his removal in January 2024. He has been a central figure in Kiir’s regional diplomacy, particularly in mediating Sudan’s peace process.

Following his removal in January, he was briefly appointed presidential envoy on Middle Eastern affairs and later named South Sudan’s ambassador to Kuwait. Despite being sworn in for the diplomatic posting, Gatluak never assumed the role and remained in Juba, maintaining his influence within the presidency.

In another decree, Kiir removed Athian Diing Athian as minister of finance and economic planning, reinstating Barnaba Bak Chol, who previously served in the same position from August 2023 to March 2024.

Bak, who was not assigned another post after his earlier dismissal, returns at a time when the South Sudanese pound continues to depreciate and public concern mounts over the country’s deepening economic crisis.

The decrees were announced shortly after employees of the state-owned broadcaster were told by authorities to “wait,” delaying the regular news bulletin for more than an hour — a sign of the sweeping changes to follow.

Within the presidency, minister of presidential affairs Chol Ajongo was dismissed and replaced by Africano Mande. In the same set of orders, Ajing Deng was removed as Executive Director in the Office of the President, with James Deng Wal reappointed to the position he previously held.

At the Ministry of Petroleum, Kiir sacked Undersecretary Deng Lual and reinstated Chol Deng to the post, signaling further restructuring in a ministry that manages the country’s vital oil revenues — the backbone of South Sudan’s economy.

The presidential decrees gave no reasons for the dismissals or appointments. However, the reshuffle appears aimed at consolidating Kiir’s control over key institutions by restoring trusted figures to senior government roles.

South Sudan remains gripped by political and military tensions. The fragile peace deal is under renewed strain following clashes earlier this year in Nasir County, Upper Nile State.

The violence has further deepened divisions between the government and the main opposition, led by First Vice President Riek Machar, who has been under house arrest since March and is now facing a high-level trial.