South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has fired the country’s army chief, General Paul Nang Majok, after just seven months in office.
This move reflects growing political turbulence within the country’s leadership and raises fresh concerns about the durability of its fragile peace.
Majok’s dismissal was announced Monday night on state radio without explanation, in line with a long-standing tradition of opaque leadership reshuffles. He has been replaced by General Dau Aturjong, a veteran military commander.
Majok was appointed in December 2024 and oversaw the national army during a period of intense clashes with the White Army, an ethnic Nuer militia, in the north-eastern town of Nasir.
His short term coincided with escalating tensions between rival factions in the ruling coalition, culminating in the house arrest of First Vice President Riek Machar in March this year.
Army spokesperson Major General Lul Ruai Koang downplayed the shake-up, saying it was routine and did not require explanation.
“There has been a tradition that when one is appointed or reassigned, there are no reasons given for either decision. It is normal,” Maj Gen Koang said.
President Kiir also made other changes in the same set of decrees, including the reappointment of Gola Boyoi Gola as chief administrator of the Greater Pibor Administrative area and new appointments to the Civil Aviation Authority and the agriculture ministry.
