President Reshuffles Cabinet as Finance Minister Fired

South Sudan President Salva Kiir fired Finance Minister Bak Barnaba Chol in a reshuffle that was unveiled on state television on Monday evening.

Chol was appointed to the post in November, following the president’s firing of Athian Diing Athian just two months after his appointment.

Kiir appointed Salvatore Garang, an economist trained at the University of Khartoum in Sudan, as the new Minister of Finance.

Garang previously served as finance minister from 2018 to 2020, a period marked by economic reforms and fiscal strains.

During his first stint in the role, local media reported that Garang faced corruption allegations, including that he allocated 100,000 dollars to cover the cost of his son’s funeral.
He has not commented on the allegations.

The decree also removed several other senior officials, including the commissioner general of the National Revenue Authority, as part of the broader administrative changes.

Analysts say Kiir regularly makes changes to ranks in the military and government to maintain control as he contends with armed conflict and speculation about his eventual succession.

No reason was given for the ninth change in the finance minister since 2020.

(Reuters/NAN)