South Sudan president fires foreign, trade ministers in latest government changes
South Sudan's President Salva Kiir has dismissed the country's foreign and trade ministers, along with a senior security official, according to a presidential decree. The changes, announced on April 30, 2026, were made without public explanation. This move is part of a pattern of frequent government and military reshuffles aimed at consolidating power amid ongoing instability and succession concerns.
- ▪President Salva Kiir removed Semeya Kumba as foreign minister and Atong Kuol Manyang as trade minister in a decree issued on April 30, 2026.
- ▪Mawien Mawien Ariek was replaced by Akec Tong Aleu as director general of the Internal Security Bureau of the National Security Service.
- ▪No official reasons were provided for the dismissals, which are part of a broader trend of leadership changes in South Sudan.
- ▪Analysts suggest Kiir uses personnel reshuffles to maintain control amid armed conflict and political uncertainty.
- ▪The changes were announced by the South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation late on Wednesday.
- ▪The reshuffle underscores ongoing instability and leadership dynamics within the South Sudanese government.
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South Sudan president fires foreign, trade ministers in latest government changesSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxFILE PHOTO: South Sudan President Salva Kiir prepares to welcome Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni at the Juba International Airport in Juba, South Sudan April 3, 2025. REUTERS/Samir Bol/ File PhotoPublished Apr 30, 2026, 03:33 PMUpdated Apr 30, 2026, 03:33 PMNAIROBI, April 30 - South Sudan's President Salva Kiir fired his foreign and trade ministers and senior security officials, a decree on Wednesday said, the latest in a series of government changes.• The South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation announced late on Wednesday that Kiir had relieved Semeya Kumba of his post as foreign minister, and had sacked Atong Kuol Manyang as trade minister.• No…
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