South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir on Wednesday sacked Benjamin Bol Mer, vice president and deputy leader of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), and on the same day also dismissed several senior officials close to Bol Mer, who were considered one of his potential successors.
According to a presidential decree read out on state television, the former vice president, who took office in February, was also stripped of his rank in the National Security Agency (SNN) and demoted from general to private.
Hours after the security team deployed to Bol Mer’s residence in the capital Juba was removed, South Sudan’s executive government announced Bol Mer’s dismissal without further explanation or naming a replacement, according to information gathered by Radio Tamazzi.
Hours earlier, the vice president’s office said in a statement that he had spent the day “diligently carrying out his official duties as usual.” In a note posted on his Facebook social network account, he mentioned “unsubstantiated rumors circulating on social networks” about his impending layoffs.
“(President Bol Mer) is working to advance the national economic reform program, strengthen institutions and ensure that the country’s resources are used for the direct benefit of the people.As this transformation effort gains momentum, some people motivated by self-interest are deceiving the people and are undermining peace, unity and the good of all. “We expect that the United States will seek to derail President Kiir’s plans for a well-functioning economy,” he said, adding that development would then proceed under the leadership of a president who “consolidated the gains made so far and called for national unity to realize the aspirations of the people.” ”
Bol Mer, 52, was appointed vice president and head of the economic group in South Sudan’s executive branch in February this year, replacing veteran politician James Wani Igga. In May, he was also appointed first vice president of the SPLM, and in September he was promoted to general of the SSN. The promotions are being interpreted as a sign of Kiir’s growing influence in the party and government amid speculation about his successor after First Vice President Riek Machar was charged with treason earlier this year.
Additionally, in a separate decree, the President dismissed SPLM Secretary-General Paul Logare Jumi, Bank of South Sudan Governor Addis Ababa Otou, and South Sudan Revenue Authority Commissioner Simon Akwei Deng, an official appointed at Bol Mer’s suggestion, according to Radio Tamazzi.
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