Kiir Cleans House: Health, Humanitarian, and Security Chiefs Out in Surprise Decrees

‎Health, Relief, and National Security Shake Up Signals New Political Realignment

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‎President Salva Kiir Mayardit has issued a wave of presidential decrees, reshuffling leadership in three of South Sudan’s most sensitive institutions: the Ministry of Health, the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC), and the National Security Service (NSS).

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‎The decrees, announced on State-run South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) on Wednesday evening, have already ignited heated political debate. While the presidency gave no reasons, analysts say the shake-up is tied to performance, political loyalty, and election calculations.

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‎1. Aniin Ngot Ngot Out as Health Undersecretary

‎Profile: Who is Aniin Ngot Ngot?

‎Aniin Ngot Ngot, a career civil servant, has long been a fixture in the Ministry of Health. Rising through the ranks of public administration, he was appointed Undersecretary during the height of South Sudan’s post-war reconstruction efforts.

‎As Undersecretary, Aniin oversaw the implementation of national health policies and served as the ministry’s top technocrat. However, his tenure was plagued by challenges:

‎Allegations of slow response to outbreaks like monkeypox, cholera, and measles.

‎Complaints from donor partners about delays in project coordination.

‎Internal wrangles within the ministry over resource allocation.

‎Critics often described him as bureaucratically rigid and resistant to reform. Supporters, however, argued he was caught in the middle of a chronically underfunded health system.

‎Profile: Who is Dr. Kennedy Ganniko?

‎Dr. Kennedy Ganniko, who takes over as Undersecretary, is a medical doctor and politician from Western Equatoria. He previously served as Deputy Governor of Western Equatoria State, where he became known for his pragmatic approach to governance.

‎Highlights of his career include:

‎Leading Ebola awareness campaigns in Equatoria during regional outbreaks.

‎Advocating for integration of traditional medicine into public health strategies.

‎Acting as a mediator in local conflicts between farmers and cattle herders.

‎Observers say Ganniko brings a rare mix of medical expertise and administrative experience, qualities that could help rebuild trust between the Health Ministry and donors.

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‎2. Aguek Ring Mabil Dismissed as Deputy Chair of RRC

‎Profile: Who is Aguek Ring Mabil?

‎Aguek Ring Mabil, a seasoned humanitarian administrator, was appointed Deputy Chair of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) in 2020. The RRC plays a central role in managing:

‎The return of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs).

‎Coordination of humanitarian aid with UN agencies and NGOs.

‎Reintegration programs for displaced families.

‎Aguek’s term saw him navigate a complex humanitarian environment, with over 2.3 million South Sudanese refugees abroad and another 2 million displaced internally.

‎However, he faced mounting criticism in recent months:

‎Failure to adequately respond to the refugee hunger crisis in Kakuma Camp.

‎Complaints of delayed resettlement programs for returnees from Uganda and Sudan.

‎Allegations of favoritism in aid distribution.

‎Despite these criticisms, Aguek is respected by many aid partners for his technical knowledge and longstanding engagement in humanitarian affairs. His removal is seen as more political than performance-based.

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‎Profile: Who is Makuach Makuach Ngong?

‎Makuach Makuach Ngong, the incoming Deputy Chair, is a younger politician aligned with the SPLM ruling party. While he lacks extensive humanitarian experience, his appointment signals loyalty to the President’s camp.

‎Little is publicly documented about his past roles, but party insiders describe him as:

‎A rising political figure from Jonglei State.

‎Known for his organizational skills in local SPLM structures.

‎Trusted by the ruling elite for his ability to follow political directives.

‎Analysts suggest his role will be less about technical leadership and more about ensuring political alignment of humanitarian operations during an election year.

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‎3. Lt. Gen. Khalid Bora Removed from NSS Intelligence Bureau

‎Profile: Who is Lt. Gen. Khalid Bora?

‎Lt. Gen. Khalid Bora has been one of the key figures in the National Security Service (NSS), serving as Deputy Director General of the Intelligence Bureau. His background is rooted in military intelligence, and he is considered part of the first generation of NSS leadership that built the agency after independence.

‎His responsibilities included:

‎Overseeing domestic intelligence gathering.

‎Monitoring political opposition activities.

‎Handling counter-intelligence operations.

‎Lt. Gen. Bora was reputed to be hardline and uncompromising, with close ties to powerful figures in the security establishment.

‎His sudden dismissal comes amid rumors of internal rivalries within the NSS and efforts by Kiir to restructure the service ahead of elections.

‎Who Could Replace Him?

‎While no successor was immediately named, speculation is rife that Kiir may appoint a younger, more loyal officer to ensure tighter control of the intelligence community. This is particularly critical as South Sudan braces for:

‎Potential election-related unrest.

‎Rising ethnic tensions in Jonglei, Upper Nile, and Warrap.

‎Cross-border security challenges with Sudan and Uganda.

‎Why These Changes Matter

‎South Sudan’s transitional period has been marked by frequent reshuffles, but this one stands out for three reasons:

‎1. It touches key sectors of public life – health, humanitarian aid, and security.

‎2. It comes just three months before the country’s first general elections.

‎3. It reflects Kiir’s strategy to tighten control, reward loyalists, and project reform.

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‎As analyst James Malual explained:

“The removal of Khalid Bora shows Kiir’s tightening grip on security. The appointment of Dr. Ganniko is designed to please donors. And Makuach Ngong’s rise is pure politics ensuring SPLM influence over humanitarian narratives during elections.”

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