South Sudan's President Kiir fires army chief and finance minister in latest reshuffle

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has dismissed the country’s army chief and finance minister in another major reshuffle, according to state media and Reuters.

Reuters reported on May 7 that Kiir removed Gen. Paul Nang Majok as chief of defense forces and relieved Salvatore Garang Mabiordit as finance minister. The report said Kiir appointed Gen. Santino Deng Wol as the new army chief and named Kuol Daniel Ayulo as finance and planning minister.

South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation also said the changes were made through presidential decrees. The broadcaster reported that Majok was removed as chief of defense forces and that Mabiordit was relieved of his duties.

The reshuffle comes as South Sudan continues to face insecurity and political uncertainty, with Kiir frequently changing senior officials. Reuters said the move fits a broader pattern of high-level changes across the government.

One Reuters rebroadcast initially described the finance minister’s tenure as less than two weeks, while later copies and corrections said it was less than three months. The personnel change itself was not in dispute.

It was not immediately clear whether the new appointments would prompt any further changes in the cabinet, military command or ruling establishment.