The President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit has just made drastic changes in the country’s military leadership.
President Kiir issued a series of sudden decisions to dismiss and appoint new officials within the South Sudanese army ranks, in a move considered to be the most comprehensive in years
Six senior officers that were holding sensitive positions in the South Sudan People Defence Force, have just been dismissed including leaders of military intelligence administration finance procurement military production air force and logistics.
According to official sources in Juba, these steps came as part of efforts to restructure the country’s army and strengthen institutional discipline among the forces.
In contrast seven new officers were appointed as deputies to the Chief of General Staff General Paul Nang Majok covering the fields of operations training intelligence ground and riverine forces in addition to administration and the office of the Commander-in-Chief.
This step aims to enhance leadership efficiency amid reform challenges facing the military institution
Apparently, observers believe that the adjustments come after recent local and international pressures that were being exerted pushing Juba to reform the army especially with the postponement of elections to December 2026.
Other factors include the rising internal tensions in the army due to the delays in soldiers’ salary payments that have been affecting the morale of the troops.
The changes are also seen as a step to strengthen political leadership control over the military institution ahead of the upcoming transitional phase
It should be noted that South Sudan has witnessed frequent fluctuations in military and security positions for years amid ongoing economic and security crises that hinder the country’s stability.