President Salva Kiir of South Sudan on Wednesday dismissed Vice-President Benjamin Bol Mel, a powerful political figure widely seen as his potential successor, according to a decree read on state television.
The decree also stripped Bol Mel of his role as deputy leader of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and demoted him from the military rank of general to private, sources told Anadolu Ajansı.
The move comes amid rising political uncertainty in South Sudan, where elections have been repeatedly postponed and tensions remain high following the end of the civil war. Analysts say the reshuffle underscores Kiir’s effort to consolidate power and manage growing succession rifts within the ruling elite.
Bol Mel, appointed in February as one of the country’s five vice-presidents, had long been viewed as Kiir’s chosen heir apparent.
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His dismissal follows persistent corruption allegations. Bol Mel has been under U.S. sanctions since 2017 and was cited in a UN report in September for alleged links to companies that received US$1.7 billion for road construction projects that were never completed.
No official reason was given for his removal. The announcement came hours after observers reported a visible reduction in the security detail outside Bol Mel’s residence in Juba, suggesting the decision was unexpected.
With no replacement immediately named, the vacancy raises concerns over a power vacuum and potential realignments within the government.
