Eighth Finance Minister Appointed in Five Years

(JUBA) – President Salva Kiir Mayardit has made sweeping changes to his administration, dismissing several top government officials and reinstating key allies to powerful positions. The reshuffle which affects the ministries of finance, security, petroleum and presidential affairs was announced on state television on Monday evening.

The most notable change is the removal of Finance Minister Athian Diing Athian through Republican Decree No. 381/2025. He has been replaced by Dr. Barnaba Baak Chol, who previously held the same position between August 2023 and March 2024.

Athian’s removal marks the eighth change in the Ministry of Finance since 2020, a pattern that analysts say reflects the country’s ongoing economic challenges.

South Sudan continues to face an unstable economy driven by fluctuating oil revenues, communal violence and political uncertainty. The outbreak of war in neighbouring Sudan in April 2023 has further affected oil exports, which remain South Sudan’s main source of income.

Local commercial banks are still limiting daily withdrawals to 50,000 South Sudanese Pounds (about 7 US Dollars), as cash shortages persist nationwide.

In another significant move, Kiir dismissed National Security Advisor Madut Dut Yel and reinstated Tut Gatluak Manime, one of his closest allies. Gatluak, who served as National Security Advisor for nearly 11 years before his removal in January 2025, has also been the president’s chief peace negotiator and played a major role in Sudan’s peace efforts.

Under a separate decree, Kiir removed Ambassador Chol Mawut Ajongo as Minister of Presidential Affairs and appointed Africano Mande Gedima, the former head of the South Sudan Revenue Authority. Mande, who previously served as governor of the now defunct Maridi State, returns to public office after being removed from the revenue authority in late 2024.

Within the President’s Office, Ambassador Ajiing Deng Ajiing was removed as Executive Director and replaced by James Deng Wal, who has returned to a role he held earlier. Rita Kiden Lotua, a senior officer in the President’s Office, has been appointed as South Sudan’s Ambassador to Rwanda.

The petroleum sector also saw changes, with Engineer Deng Lual Wol dismissed as Undersecretary and Engineer Dr. Chol Thon Abel reappointed to the position. The Ministry of Petroleum remains one of the most influential arms of government, overseeing the country’s main source of revenue.

In the military, Kiir issued a Republican Order appointing Lt. Gen. Philip Nyon Nyon as Commander of the elite Tiger Division, replacing Maj. Gen. Valentino Bak Makuei, who had only been in the position for a few weeks.

Analysts say the reshuffle could be an attempt by Kiir to strengthen control over key government institutions by restoring trusted figures to senior positions. However, others see it as a sign of instability at the highest level of government.

Political observer Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), said frequent reshuffles undermine institutional performance and economic stability.

“The continuous reshuffling of key officials does not support stability. The government must focus on implementing the 2018 peace agreement to bring genuine reform,” Yakani told media.

He added that the repeated replacement of finance ministers has weakened the ministry’s performance.

“The Ministry of Finance has become a space of trials instead of delivery. Fixing South Sudan’s financial crisis requires stability in leadership, peace and accountability,” he said.

Yakani also noted that the return of former officials may reflect political influence rather than competence.

“Recycling familiar faces might deepen mismanagement instead of promoting transparency,” he added.

He concluded that the changes may be aimed at strengthening the government’s position in negotiations for foreign loans and aid as the economy faces growing fiscal pressures.

Summary of Key Government Changes (November 2025)