South Sudan’s President Kiir Overhauls SPLM Leadership in Bold Reshuffle
Juba Global News Network
Juba, South Sudan – May 20, 2025, 9:22 PM EAT
In a dramatic shake-up of South Sudan’s ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), President Salva Kiir has revoked the appointments of key party figures, including deputies Kuol Manyang Juuk, Daniel Awet Akot, and James Wani Igga, who also served as the party’s secretary general. In their place, Kiir has appointed Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel as First Deputy Chairperson, Mary Apai as Second Deputy, and Simon Kun Puoch as Third Deputy, signaling a significant shift in the party’s power structure.
The sweeping changes, announced today, have sent shockwaves through South Sudan’s political landscape, with analysts viewing the move as part of Kiir’s ongoing strategy to consolidate control within the SPLM and position loyalists for future leadership roles. Benjamin Bol Mel, a prominent businessman and Kiir’s long-time financial advisor, has emerged as a central figure in this reshuffle. Previously appointed vice president for the Economic Cluster in February 2025, Bol Mel’s elevation to First Deputy Chairperson further cements his status as a potential successor to Kiir, a notion that has been speculated for months.
Mary Apai, named Second Deputy, brings a fresh face to the SPLM’s upper echelons, though little is known about her prior political roles. Simon Kun Puoch, appointed Third Deputy, is a seasoned political figure with a history of aligning closely with Kiir’s leadership, making his inclusion a nod to continuity within the party’s core. The appointments reflect Kiir’s intent to balance new blood with established loyalists as South Sudan navigates a fragile peace process and prepares for delayed national elections.
The removal of Kuol Manyang, Daniel Awet Akot, and James Wani Igga marks a significant departure from the SPLM’s traditional hierarchy, which has long relied on liberation-era veterans. Kuol Manyang, a towering figure known for his role as a former Jonglei governor and defense minister, has been a stalwart in the SPLM’s Political Bureau. His ousting, alongside that of Daniel Awet Akot, a senior politico-military leader, suggests a deliberate move to sideline older powerbrokers who have shaped the party’s direction since South Sudan’s independence in 2011. James Wani Igga, who served as vice president until February 2025 and was later appointed SPLM secretary general, has also been stripped of his party roles, raising questions about his future influence.
The reshuffle comes amid heightened political tensions in South Sudan, where the Revitalized Peace Agreement continues to face implementation challenges. Kiir’s earlier cabinet reshuffles, including the dismissal of opposition figures and the elevation of loyalists like Bol Mel, have drawn criticism for undermining power-sharing arrangements. The latest move is likely to intensify concerns about the SPLM’s dominance and Kiir’s grip on power, particularly as the country grapples with ongoing violence in regions like Western Bahr el-Ghazal and Upper Nile.
Political observers suggest that Kiir’s decision to overhaul the SPLM leadership may be a preemptive strike to secure the party’s cohesion ahead of the 2025 elections, which have already been postponed twice due to disputes between Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar. Bol Mel’s rapid rise, despite past U.S. sanctions under the Magnitsky Act for alleged financial misconduct, underscores Kiir’s trust in his advisor’s ability to navigate South Sudan’s complex political and economic challenges. However, the sidelining of veteran figures like Kuol, Akot, and Igga risks alienating key factions within the SPLM, potentially deepening internal divisions.
As South Sudan braces for the fallout of this bold power play, the international community, including regional guarantors like Uganda, is closely monitoring the situation. The SPLM’s new leadership will face immediate pressure to address the country’s precarious security situation and advance the stalled peace process.
For now, Kiir’s latest maneuver has solidified his control over the party, but at the cost of unsettling a delicate political balance in a nation still healing from years of conflict.
