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

By Thomson Reuters Apr 30, 2026 | 2:28 AM

NAIROBI, April 30 (Reuters) – 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.

(Writing by George Obulutsa; Editing by ​Aidan Lewis)