Sacked South Sudan Vice President Benjamin Bol Meland, President Salva Kiir. /FILESouth Sudan’s former Vice President Benjamin Bol Mel has expressed gratitude to President Salva Kiir for the opportunity to serve, hours after being removed from office in a surprise move.
Dr Mel, who also lost his military rank of general, was dismissed alongside the Central Bank governor and the Commissioner General of the National Revenue Authority. The three were widely viewed as close political associates.
The government did not give reasons for the changes announced on Thursday.
However, the reshuffle drew widespread public attention, with online discussions suggesting possible divisions within the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM). No official statement has confirmed these reports.
In a statement addressed to President Kiir, Dr Mel thanked the head of state for granting him “the privilege to serve the people of South Sudan as Vice President and First Deputy Chairperson of the SPLM Party.”
He described the appointments as among the greatest honours of his life and expressed appreciation for the trust placed in him.
During his tenure, Mel said he had focused on attracting new investments, improving non-oil revenue collection, and enhancing transparency in national financial systems.
He added that he had sought to strengthen South Sudan’s diplomatic and economic partnerships and to rebuild grassroots support for the SPLM ahead of the next general elections.
“As Vice President, I dedicated myself to advancing your vision for a stable, prosperous and self-reliant South Sudan,” Mel wrote, crediting President Kiir’s “steady leadership” for guiding national progress.
“As our nation moves forward, I have full confidence that South Sudan and the SPLM will continue to rise under your stewardship,” he added.
Despite the cordial tone of his message, Mel’s dismissal has drawn public interest given his recent elevation in February to the position of First Deputy Chairperson of the SPLM—a move that had raised his political profile within the ruling party.
The abrupt changes caught many observers by surprise as no reasons were provided.
The BBC, citing a senior government official who requested anonymity, reported that the decision reflected internal party considerations. The comments could not be independently verified.
The developments come amid ongoing political uncertainty in South Sudan. The country, which gained independence in 2011, has faced repeated cycles of instability since a civil war broke out two years later following a dispute between President Kiir and then–Vice President Riek Machar.
Although a 2018 peace agreement sought to end the conflict, sporadic violence and political tensions have persisted.
Elections initially scheduled for 2022 have been postponed twice, and observers have expressed concern that recent political changes could complicate preparations for the polls.
In his closing remarks, Dr Mel voiced confidence in President Kiir’s leadership. “Once again, Your Excellency, thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the progress of our nation,” he wrote.
