Salva Kiir Dismisses Security Chief and Orders Mandatory Prayer for Senior Officials

Juba – Sudanhorizon– Agencies
The President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit, has issued a series of presidential decrees, dismissing the Director of Internal Security and making sweeping appointments to leadership positions. This coincided with the announcement of a mandatory “national prayer iftar” (breaking of the fast) for all state officials.

The decrees, broadcast Thursday on state television, included the dismissal of Lieutenant General Charles Shayea Mayor from his position as Director General of Internal Security within the National Security Service, just 10 months after his appointment. President Kiir appointed Lieutenant General Mawien Mawien Arik, also known as Mawien Magol, as his successor, promoting him from the rank of Major General.

The decrees did not specify the official reasons for the dismissal of the intelligence chief, but they come within the context of security and political changes that began last month with the dismissal of Benjamin Bol Mil from his position as Vice President.

The dismissal and appointment decisions also included a number of senior officials in key government positions, most notably in the Ministry of Transport, where Paul Dhal Kuom was appointed Undersecretary, replacing Engineer Cesar Olia Marco.

In the Ministry of Mining, Deng Makok was appointed Undersecretary, replacing Dr. Santino Mathiok. At the Civil Aviation Authority, Engineer Ayi Garang Deng was appointed Director General.

President Salva Kiir reappointed Professor John Akec as University Vice-chancellor and appointed Bona Ngong Nguyen as Commissioner of Finance for the National Security Unit.

President Kiir announced the organization of an annual National Prayer Breakfast, with the first edition to be held tomorrow morning, Saturday, at the Presidential Palace in Juba.

The Presidency issued a mandatory invitation to all senior officials, including the Vice Presidents, ministers, army commanders, state governors, legislators, and members of the judiciary. According to the Presidency, the initiative aims to seek divine guidance and strengthen national unity and commitment to the country’s highest values. For his part, civil society activist Edmund Yakani, head of the Community Empowerment for Progress organization, welcomed the initiative, stating that the country is at a stage requiring “forgiveness, reconciliation, and healing the torn social fabric.” He described it as a positive step toward fostering rapprochement between the government and its opponents.

These significant moves come a day after the presidency approved controversial amendments to the peace agreement, paving the way for elections scheduled for December 2026, amidst escalating political tensions with opposition forces.

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