South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has reinstated his former vice president, James Wani Igga, to the same post, the state broadcaster announced on Tuesday. The move comes just days after Kiir abruptly dismissed Benjamin Bol Mel, a close ally who had long been viewed as a possible successor.
The reshuffle has fuelled growing fears of a return to civil conflict, as uncertainty deepens over the future leadership of the 74-year-old president. Kiir has frequently dismissed, reinstated and reshuffled top officials, a pattern analysts say is aimed at managing competing political interests and navigating moments of heightened tension.
Igga, a former speaker of parliament, previously served as vice president from 2013 until his removal in February. His return follows the sudden dismissal last week of Bol Mel, who had occupied the role for around nine months before being removed alongside the central bank governor and several other senior figures.
Monday’s decree, read on the South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation, also included further changes. Long-serving information minister Michael Makuei was shifted to the justice ministry, while Mabior Garang De Mabior, son of the country’s founding leader John Garang, was appointed minister for environment and forestry.
Under the peace agreement that ended the civil war in 2018, South Sudan has five vice presidents. From 2018 onwards, Igga served alongside four others, including Kiir’s long-time rival Riek Machar, who became first vice president.
Machar is currently on trial for treason after being placed under house arrest in March.
