Salva Kiir fires minister of finance just two months after appointment
South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has dismissed the country’s finance minister just two months after appointing him, continuing an unusual wave of frequent changes in key government positions in the world’s newest nation.
The state-run South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation announced on Monday night that Kiir had removed Athian Diing Athian from his position as Minister of Finance, appointing Barnaba Bak Chol as his replacement.
Analysts say Kiir frequently reshuffles senior officials in the military and government to maintain tight control, as the country continues to grapple with internal conflict and speculation about his eventual successor.
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Kiir has led a transitional government since South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011, in a poor country long plagued by recurring wars.
Elections that were planned have been postponed twice, and Riek Machar, the First Vice President and Kiir’s longtime rival during the 2013–2018 civil war, was accused of treason earlier this year.
No reasons are ever given for the removal of officials. The dismissed minister is the eighth finance minister since 2020.
Barnaba Bak Chol, who replaces Athian, previously held the same position briefly for only six months before being dismissed himself in March 2024.
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