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South Sudan's Kiir Ousts Key Deputy Amid Leadership Shift
South Sudan's President Salva Kiir has dismissed his influential Vice President Benjamin Bor Mel only eight months after he was appointed.
Last night, Kiir also dismissed Dr. Mel as his deputy within the ruling Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), as stated in a presidential decree released from State House, Juba.
The President also ordered Bel's reduction from General to the rank of Private and his removal from the National Security Service.
"Under the provisions of Section 51(4) of the National Security Service Act, 2014 (as amended), I, Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan and Supreme Commander of All Regular Forces, hereby demote Gen. Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel to the rank of Private, and he is hereby removed from the National Security Service (NSS)," stated the decree issued on November 12 through the state broadcaster.
Mel's close ally Addis Ababa Othow was also removed as Governor of the Bank of South Sudan (Central Bank) and succeeded by Yeni Samuel Costa.
Another of Mel's allies, Simon Akuei, has been removed as Commissioner General of the South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA), with William Anyuon Kuol appointed as his successor.
Paul Logale was removed from his position as SPLM Secretary General, with Kiir appointing Akol Paul Kordit as the new head of the SPLM.
The developments that occurred after initial speculation suggested that Mel was placed under 'house arrest' following a reduction in security at his residence on Wednesday morning have come as a surprise to many observers in South Sudan, as Dr. Mel (47) was seen as Kiir's favored successor.
Dr. Mel, who has been sanctioned by the U.S. government due to corruption charges, was seen as the likely successor to Kiir after his rapid advancement within both the military and the government.
Mel was elevated from the position of Lieutenant General to that of full general in mid-September within the Internal Bureau of the National Security Service (NSS); the rank he currently holds has been revoked.
It marked Mel's third significant promotion in under a year, sparking rumors about his increasing power in Juba, where he was then seen as the likely successor to Kiir.
Bol Mel, who is 52 years old, was named vice president and leader of the government's economic group in February, succeeding experienced politician Dr. James Wani Igga.
In May, he was appointed as First Deputy Chairman of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) party.
In his message of appreciation following the September promotion, the Vice President seemed to allude to Kiir's strategy and also connected his ascent to First Lady Mama Mary Ayen Mayardit, and her family, for "supporting me and nurturing me under her guidance."
Throughout my professional journey, H.E. the President has directed and encouraged me to assume more significant roles in my service to the country, and I am still dedicated to meeting that confidence.
Mel was penalized by the U.S. government in 2017 due to corruption claims, which suggested that his construction firm obtained favorable treatment when government contracts were assigned.
The firm faced penalties from the U.S. Treasury Department, yet this did not stop Kiir from promoting his main associate.
It is unclear whether Kiir was reacting to a recent United Nations Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan (CHRSS) report that strongly criticized Bol Mel for systematic theft, which has worsened poverty and food shortages throughout the nation.
The report, titled "Plundering a Nation: How Rampant Corruption Unleashed a Human Rights Crisis in South Sudan," revealed that Bol Mel and other powerful figures siphoned billions from public resources for their own benefit, resulting in more than 90% of planned infrastructure projects remaining unfinished.
"Rather than using the nation's wealth to benefit the people, the country's political leaders have consistently misused both oil and non-oil revenues through corruption and untransparent schemes that are deeply rooted in the government," said Commissioner Barney Afako.
The UN Commission estimates that a total of $2.2 billion was diverted outside the budget, intensifying a humanitarian emergency where two-thirds of South Sudan's 12 million residents are now experiencing severe food shortages.
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