Latest news with #BolMel
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
South Sudan's President Kiir promotes sanctioned ally as ruling party deputy
NAIROBI (Reuters) -South Sudan's President Salva Kiir has reshuffled the senior leadership in the ruling party, according to an official decree, as the country faces fresh fighting between rival armed factions and widespread speculation about Kiir's succession plans. Kiir, 73, promoted sanctioned ally Second Vice President Benjamin Bol Mel as his SPLM party's deputy chairperson, according to a decree read on the state broadcaster on Tuesday night, weeks after the United Nations said the country was on the brink of civil war. Seen widely by political analysts as Kiir's chosen successor, Bol Mel was sanctioned by the United States in 2017 over suspicions his construction company received preferential treatment in the awarding of government contracts. If Kiir stepped down, Bol Mel's new role as the SPLM party's deputy chairperson would make him acting president of the country. The reshuffle follows months of political uncertainty in which authorities placed Kiir's longtime rival First Vice President Riek Machar under house arrest, accusing him of trying to stir a rebellion. Machar's opposition party denied the charges, and said the move effectively voided a 2018 peace deal that ended a five-year civil war between Kiir's Dinka forces and Nuer fighters loyal to Machar. Western countries, including the United States, Britain and Germany closed embassies or cut back operations in South Sudan. Tuesday night's ruling party shake-up saw Kiir demote three veterans of South Sudan's liberation struggle, including former Second Vice President James Wani Igga, according to the decree read on state television on Tuesday night.
The Star
21-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
South Sudan's President Kiir promotes sanctioned ally as ruling party deputy
FILE PHOTO: South Sudan's President Salva Kiir Mayardit arrives at Khartoum airport, Sudan November 1, 2017. REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/File Photo NAIROBI (Reuters) -South Sudan's President Salva Kiir has reshuffled the senior leadership in the ruling party, according to an official decree, as the country faces fresh fighting between rival armed factions and widespread speculation about Kiir's succession plans. Kiir, 73, promoted sanctioned ally Second Vice President Benjamin Bol Mel as his SPLM party's deputy chairperson, according to a decree read on the state broadcaster on Tuesday night, weeks after the United Nations said the country was on the brink of civil war. Seen widely by political analysts as Kiir's chosen successor, Bol Mel was sanctioned by the United States in 2017 over suspicions his construction company received preferential treatment in the awarding of government contracts. If Kiir stepped down, Bol Mel's new role as the SPLM party's deputy chairperson would make him acting president of the country. The reshuffle follows months of political uncertainty in which authorities placed Kiir's longtime rival First Vice President Riek Machar under house arrest, accusing him of trying to stir a rebellion. Machar's opposition party denied the charges, and said the move effectively voided a 2018 peace deal that ended a five-year civil war between Kiir's Dinka forces and Nuer fighters loyal to Machar. Western countries, including the United States, Britain and Germany closed embassies or cut back operations in South Sudan. Tuesday night's ruling party shake-up saw Kiir demote three veterans of South Sudan's liberation struggle, including former Second Vice President James Wani Igga, according to the decree read on state television on Tuesday night. (Reporting by Nairobi Newsroom; Writing by Hereward Holland; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)
Business Insider
21-04-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
South Sudanese delegation heads to the U.S. to soothe out tensions
South Sudan is looking to converse with Washington, D.C, concerning the deportation of over 100 Sudanese people from the United States. South Sudan to send delegation to Washington, D.C. regarding deportation of over 100 Sudanese people from the US. Delegation, led by Finance Minister Marial Dongrin Ater, aims to facilitate an orderly and legal return process. Recent events have strained relations between the US and South Sudan, including the suspension of visas for South Sudanese nationals. Following the United States' decision to deport about 132 South Sudanese nationals, South Sudan has decided to send a delegation to the North American country to examine the situation. According to Vice President Bol Mel's office statement, the representatives, headed by Finance Minister Marial Dongrin Ater, will visit the US capital in the days ahead, as reported by Bloomberg. 'This delegation will work in close coordination with the US Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security to facilitate an orderly, legal, and dignified return process,' the statement read partly. This diplomatic push is in reaction to a recent event that has heightened relations between the two countries. South Sudan originally refused to accept the return of one deportee, claiming that the man was a citizen of the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo. The United States government responded by suspending visas for all South Sudanese nationals, barring travel access for government officials, students, and others. The South Sudanese government has recently changed its position and declared a desire to collaborate. The vice president's office portrayed the original refusal as a "regrettable and isolated" episode, attempting to reassure US officials that similar scenarios would not occur again. South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011, nevertheless relies significantly on international diplomacy and aid. The visa restriction put a tremendous strain on diplomatic relations and threatened to further isolate the oil-rich country from its foreign allies. The 137 nationals facing deportation are part of a larger trend of immigration enforcement by US officials.
