South Sudan’s President Fires Fast-Rising Vice President After Only 8 Months
South Sudan President Salva Kiir has removed his strong Vice President Benjamin Bor Mel, only eight months after appointing him.
According to a presidential decree published from the State House in Juba last night, Kiir also dismissed Dr. Mel from his position as deputy in the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM).
The President also ordered Bel’s demotion from General to Private and discharge from the National Security Service.
“Pursuant to 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 the Supreme Commander of All Regular Forces, do hereby demote Gen. Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel to the rank of Private, and he is hereby dismissed from the National Security Service (NSS),” the November 12 decree read on the state broadcaster.
Mel’s close associate, Addis Ababa Othow, was also removed as Governor of the Bank of South Sudan (Central Bank) and replaced by Yeni Samuel Costa.
Another of Mel’s allies, Simon Akuei, has been ousted as Commissioner General of the South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA), and his replacement is William Anyuon Kuol.
Paul Logale was stripped of his job as SPLM Secretary General, and Kiir appointed Akol Paul Kordit as the new Secretary General.
🚨 BREAKING NEWS:
— South Sudan Eagles Media (@ssemtv) November 12, 2025
President Salva Kiir Mayardit has issued a series of Republican Decrees this evening, relieving Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel from three key positions:
1️⃣ Removed as Vice President of the Republic.
2️⃣ Dismissed as SPLM Deputy Chairman and stripped of party membership.
3️⃣… pic.twitter.com/86sMs2N3N3
Many observers in South Sudan are surprised by the developments that occurred following early rumors that Mel was under ‘house arrest’ after security at his homes was reduced on Wednesday morning, as Dr. Mel (47) was regarded to be Kiir’s preferred successor.
Dr. Mel, who has been sanctioned by the US government for corruption allegations, was widely regarded as Kiir’s natural successor following his spectacular rise in both the army and the administration.
Mel was elevated from Lieutenant General to full general in the Internal Bureau of the National Security Service (NSS) in mid-September, but his status has since been removed.
It was Mel’s third big promotion in less than a year, sparking suspicion about his growing prominence in Juba, where he was regarded as Kiir’s expected successor.
Bol Mel, 52, was appointed vice president and head of the government’s economic cluster in February, succeeding Dr. James Wani Igga, a senior politician.
In May, he was appointed First Deputy Chairman of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) party.
In his appreciative message after the September promotion, the Vice President appeared to be hinting at Kiir’s plan and also linked his rise to first lady Mama Mary Ayen Mayardit, and her family, for ‘supporting me and raising me under her wing.’
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“Throughout my career, H.E. the President has guided me and challenged me to take on greater responsibilities in my service to the nation, and I remain committed to living up to that trust.”
Mel was sanctioned by the United States government in 2017 over corruption allegations based on suspicions that his construction company received preferential treatment in the awarding of government contracts.
In total, the UN Commission estimates that $2.2 billion was siphoned off-budget, worsening a humanitarian crisis in which two-thirds of South Sudan’s 12 million people now face crisis-level food insecurity.
South Sudan’s President Fires Fast-Rising Vice President After Only 8 Months
