South Sudan president fires foreign, trade ministers in latest government changes

Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan, leaves the Nelson Mandela Hall after a family photo during the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa on February 14, 2026. (File/AFP)

• Analysts say Kiir regularly makes changes to ranks in the military and government to maintain control

NAIROBI: South Sudan's President Salva Kiir fired his foreign and ​trade ministers and senior security officials, a decree on Wednesday said, the latest in a series of government changes.
The ‌South Sudan ‌Broadcasting Corporation ​announced ‌late ⁠on Wednesday ​that Kiir ⁠had relieved Semeya Kumba of his post as foreign minister, and had sacked Atong Kuol Manyang ⁠as trade minister.
No ‌explanation ‌was given for ​the firings, ‌in which Kiir also ‌removed Mawien Mawien Ariik as director general of the Internal Security Bureau of ‌the National Security Service, appointing Akec Tong Aleu ⁠as ⁠his successor.
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.