South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has dismissed key allies of his longtime rival, First Vice President Riek Machar, from government positions, a move that raises fresh doubts about the viability of their power-sharing agreement under the 2018 peace deal.
The deal, signed by Kiir, Machar, and other leaders, ended a brutal five-year civil war and established a unity government tasked with drafting a permanent constitution, unifying armed forces, and preparing for elections.
In a late-night decree broadcast Wednesday on state-owned South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation, Kiir removed Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Bech George Anyak, replacing him with Yien Chan Ruei. The order also targeted Machar loyalists in both houses of parliament—the Transitional National Legislative Assembly and the Council of States.
The purge came just a day after the African Union Peace and Security Council reaffirmed its support for the 2018 agreement, urging progress toward elections and inclusive dialogue.
Machar, leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO), has been under house arrest since March 26, accused of involvement in violence in Nasir County—a charge his supporters dismiss as politically motivated.
The SPLM-IO has since fractured, with one faction aligning with Kiir under Peacebuilding Minister Stephen Par Kuol and another remaining loyal to Machar, now led by acting chairman Oyet Nathaniel.
In the Transitional National Legislative Assembly, Kiir revoked the appointments of Machar’s deputy, Nathaniel Oyet Pierino, as first deputy speaker, along with members Gai Mayen Luk, Regina Joseph Kapa, Farouk Gatkuoth Kam, and Daniel Juol Nhomngek. Their replacements—John Otto Marino, Maluong Achiran Mour, Julius Simon Rial, Peter Charliman Kawach, Mathiew Manyuot Mangar, and Tut Twach Nyau—were installed.
A similar shakeup hit the Council of States, where Speaker Deng Deng Akon and SPLM-IO Chief Whip Matata Frank Elikana were replaced by Daniel Akot Akot and Peter Wani Elia Kulang.
“We Were Expecting This”
Juol Nhomngek Daniel, one of the ousted lawmakers, told Radio Tamazuj that his removal was anticipated due to his vocal opposition to Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba.
“I was in conflict with the Right Honourable Speaker. I was expecting this, but it took time until now,” Nhomngek said. “In a normal system, a member of Parliament cannot be removed. But because we were appointed, we expected to be removed at any time if you go against the will of those in power.”
He warned that losing parliamentary immunity could lead to his arrest but vowed to continue advocating for accountability.
“They might remove immunity, and at any time, they can arrest me. But that will not change anything,” he said. “Even if I am arrested or dead, the country must go on. My fight has been for the grassroots—the people who helped liberate this country but have been forgotten.”
Nhomngek linked his dismissal to broader suppression of dissent, citing Machar’s detention. “The First Vice President is under arrest because he has not committed any crime. Those who speak for the people are always targeted.”
“Kiir Has Abandoned Peace”
Joseph Malwal Dong, a senior SPLM-IO figure, accused Kiir of deliberately derailing the peace process.
“The president has made it clear he is not for peace,” Deng said. “He has abandoned the peace process and is choosing who to work with. Now we know he does not want SPLM-IO involved. If he doesn’t want peace, then we will have to decide our next steps.”