President Salva Kiir has dismissed his long-time national security advisor, Tut Kew Gatluak Manime. The decision, announced late Friday via presidential decree, did not cite specific reasons for Tut’s removal. However, Kiir reappointed him as the Presidential Envoy for Middle East Affairs.
In a separate decree, President Kiir appointed a senior
officer in the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) Lt. Gen. Thoi Chany
Reat as the new national security advisor.
Reat has been accused by the United Nations of involvement
in human rights violations and extrajudicial killings during incidents in Mayom
County in August 2022.
Kiir also dissolved the National Transitional Committee
(NTC), a body charged with overseeing the peace process, removing Tut Gatluak
Manime from his role as Chairperson along with several other members.
The dismissed figures dismissed include Deputy Chairperson
Mayik Ayii Deng, Minister of Peacebuilding Stephen Par Kuol, and Minister of
Interior Angelina Teny.
Kiir then reconstituted the NTC with new leadership. The
restructured committee will now be chaired by Presidential Advisor Gen. Kuol
Manyang Juuk, with Ambassador Chol Mawut Ajongo as Deputy Chairperson.
Stephen Par Kuol, despite his removal from the previous
committee, has been reinstated as Secretary, while Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel has
been added as a member.
The revamped NTC is tasked with finalizing Phase Two of the
Security Arrangement, preparing a comprehensive budget for the remaining peace
agreement phases, and reporting directly to the presidency.
In another major move, Kiir dissolved the board of directors
of Nile Petroleum Corporation (Nilepet), replacing key government officials
with a mix of ministers and private sector representatives to steer the company
forward.
Additionally, Stephen Kueth Gach has been appointed
Chairperson of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC), taking over from
Gatwech Peter Kulang.
The 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement initially brought
together President Kiir and his rival, First Vice President Riek Machar, in a
bid to end years of conflict.
However, the transitional government has repeatedly delayed
its key milestones, including drafting a permanent constitution and organizing
the country’s first general elections.
In September 2024, authorities announced another two-year postponement of elections initially scheduled for December 2024.
