President Kiir Dismisses Wani Igga, Kuol Manyang and Awet Akot from SPLM Top Leadership
By PaanLuel Wël, Juba, South Sudan
Wednesday, 21 May 2025 (PW) — President Salva Kiir has revoked the appointments of SPLM deputies and secretaries Kuol Manyang, Daniel Awet Akot, and James Wani Igga. In their place, he has appointed Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel as First Deputy Chairperson, Mary Apai as Second Deputy, and Simon Kun Puoch as Third Deputy of the SPLM.
The clear reading of these developments is that the president is paving the way for the crown prince, his chosen successor to ascend to the presidency. He is systematically removing anyone senior to the crown prince in both the cabinet and the SPLM leadership, ensuring the crown prince remains the most senior official in both the government and the ruling party.
This consolidation of power has been achieved through the imprisonment of Dr. Riek Machar, the removal of Dr. James Wani Igga from government, and now the dismissal of senior SPLM figures Kuol Manyang, Wani Igga, and Awet Akot. In effect, the president has purged the ruling party of the last remaining symbols of the liberation-era leadership.
Whether the SPLM Chairperson has the constitutional authority within the party to unilaterally dismiss deputies and secretaries is a secondary matter at this point. The more pressing question is: why has the president not appointed individuals with proven leadership credentials and a strong political or military base, figures like Governor Janafill, who could help ensure a stable and successful transition?
Instead, appointments like those of Mary Apai and Simon Kun Puoch raise serious concerns. In a volatile country like South Sudan, how can these figures, with limited national clout, facilitate a smooth transfer of power?
Politics is ultimately about power, control over political and military institutions. The crown prince currently possesses neither, aside from support from hired foreign troops like the UPDF. This begs the question: will he be the president of South Sudan or merely the president of the UPDF?
There’s a growing contradiction between surrounding the crown prince with lesser figures to elevate his seniority and the practical need for experienced, influential allies who can actually deliver a smooth transition of power.
At this rate, it increasingly appears as though the president is setting up the crown prince to fail.
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