South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has promoted Vice President Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel to the rank of full general in the Internal Bureau of the National Security Service, state media reported on Monday.
The promotion, confirmed during a ceremony at the presidential palace in Juba, marks Mel’s third major elevation in less than a year, fueling speculation over his growing influence.
Mel was appointed vice president and head of the government’s economic cluster in February, replacing veteran politician Dr. James Wani Igga. In May, he was named first deputy chairman of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) party.
A close ally of Kiir, Mel is widely seen by analysts as a potential successor. In 2017, the United States sanctioned him over allegations that his construction firm received preferential treatment in state contracts.
The promotion comes amid political uncertainty after authorities placed First Vice President Riek Machar under house arrest, accusing him of attempting to instigate a rebellion.
Kiir, 73, also promoted other senior officials at the ceremony, including National Security Minister Mamur Obote Mete and Presidential Advisor on National Security Affairs Madut Dut Yel, both elevated from lieutenant general to full general.
The event was attended by Defense Minister Gen. Chol Thon Balok.
The promotions follow heightened political and security tensions and a faltering peace process.
Last week, Kiir suspended Machar and referred him to court, accusing him of treason and crimes against humanity linked to a March militia attack on a military base in Nasir County, Upper Nile state.
Machar’s opposition party, the SPLM-IO, denied the charges and said the suspension effectively nullified the 2018 peace agreement that ended a five-year civil war between Kiir’s forces and Machar’s fighters.
On Monday, the SPLM-IO, now led by Machar’s deputy Oyet Nathaniel, declared the transitional government collapsed and illegitimate, vowing to push for regime change.
The United Nations has warned that South Sudan risks sliding back into civil war.