November 12, 20225, JUBA — In a sweeping and sudden political realignment, President Salva Kiir has dismissed Vice President Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel from office and stripped him of multiple powerful roles — including his position as First Deputy Chairman of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and his military rank in the National Security Service (NSS).
The decision was announced via presidential decree on state television Wednesday night. No explanation was provided, and a successor for the vice-presidential post is yet to be named.
Earlier in the day, Unity Times learned from sources close to the former vice president that security forces assigned to Bol Mel were abruptly withdrawn from both his residence and office in Juba without prior communication. The silence surrounding his current status has raised concerns about potential movement restrictions or other undisclosed measures imposed by authorities.
Dr. Bol Mel’s abrupt dismissal comes just months after his rapid rise to power. He was appointed Vice President and head of the Economic Cluster in February 2025, followed by a promotion to SPLM’s First Deputy Chairman in May, and elevated to full general in the NSS in September — fueling growing speculation that he was being groomed as a successor to President Kiir, especially after First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar was charged with treason earlier this year.
However, mounting political friction, particularly over alleged mismanagement of oil revenues between July 2024 and November 2025, appears to have led to his downfall. Credible reports suggest that hundreds of millions of dollars may have disappeared from state accounts during this period, contributing to growing unrest within the SPLM leadership.
In a further blow, President Kiir issued an additional decree demoting Bol Mel from general to private in the NSS and expelling him entirely from the service.
The political shake-up extended to other senior officials. Prof. Paul Logale Jumi was removed as SPLM Secretary General and replaced by Akol Paul Kordit. Dr. Addis Ababa Othow was sacked as Governor of the Bank of South Sudan, with Yeni Samuel Costa taking over. William Anyuon Kuol was appointed as the new head of the South Sudan Revenue Authority, replacing Simon Akuei Deng.
All three dismissed officials are believed to have risen through the ranks under Bol Mel’s political influence — suggesting a broader effort by President Kiir to reassert control and sideline perceived rivals.
