South Sudan President Kiir sacks 8th finance minister after two months

South Sudan's President Salva Kiir has fired the country's finance minister just over two months after appointing him.

The South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation announced late on Monday that Kiir had relieved Athian Diing Athian of his position as finance minister, appointing Barnaba Bak Chol in his place.

Kiir has led a transitional government since independence from Sudan in 2011.

Scheduled elections have twice been postponed, and First Vice President Riek Machar, Kiir's main rival during a 2013-2018 civil war, was charged earlier this year with treason.

Recurring sacks

No reason was given for the eighth change of finance minister since 2020. Barnaba Bak Chol previously held the position for about half a year until he was fired in March 2024.

Kiir has, in the past, suddenly sacked key officials in his government without giving reasons.

In October, he removed the country's military chief and reinstated his predecessor, whom Kiir had sacked three months earlier.

In July 2024, Kiir sacked the country's finance minister, Awow Daniel Chuong, who was just four months into the job, the sixth replacement in the post since 2020.