Kiir Reinstates Former Military Chief in Sudden Power Shake-Up

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has unexpectedly dismissed military chief Dau Aturjong after three months and reinstated his predecessor, Paul Nang Majok. The change, announced without explanation, reflects Kiir’s pattern of frequent leadership reshuffles aimed at maintaining control over rival factions within the military. Analysts say the move may be intended to secure loyalty amid rising tensions and ongoing conflict, as Vice President Riek Machar faces treason charges that threaten to destabilize the fragile transitional government.

In a surprising turn of events, South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has abruptly removed the nation’s current military chief from office after just three months in the position and has reinstated his predecessor, Paul Nang Majok, who was previously dismissed in July. The official announcement of this leadership change was made through the country’s state-owned broadcaster, though no detailed reason or public explanation was provided by the presidency or the defense ministry.

The outgoing military chief, Dau Aturjong, has been reassigned to serve as a technical adviser to the Ministry of Defense, marking a swift transition from one of the highest military offices to a largely advisory role. The reshuffle reflects a continuing pattern of frequent and unpredictable changes in South Sudan’s top military and political ranks — a trend that has come to define President Kiir’s leadership style since the country gained independence.

Political and security analysts suggest that this latest decision is part of Kiir’s ongoing strategy to consolidate his authority and manage rival factions within the armed forces. South Sudan’s military remains divided along political and ethnic lines, and such reshuffles are often seen as calculated moves to prevent any one faction from amassing too much influence. By reinstating Majok, a figure reportedly loyal to Kiir and experienced in navigating the country’s complex security networks, the president may be seeking to stabilize internal tensions while keeping key power brokers aligned with his leadership.

Since leading South Sudan to independence in 2011, Kiir has presided over a nation struggling to achieve lasting peace and political stability. The country continues to grapple with sporadic violence, humanitarian crises, and a deeply fragile transitional government. National elections — initially promised years ago — have been repeatedly postponed, fueling frustration among citizens and skepticism among international observers.

The situation is further complicated by growing tensions with First Vice President Riek Machar, Kiir’s longtime rival and former civil war adversary. Machar is currently facing treason charges over alleged links to militia activity, a development that has heightened political uncertainty and revived fears of a potential return to large-scale conflict.

Observers believe that Kiir’s reinstatement of Majok could be a calculated effort to strengthen the loyalty of the military hierarchy and reassure uneasy members of the security establishment who may have felt marginalized by Aturjong’s earlier appointment. However, the precise reasons behind the president’s sudden decision remain opaque, leaving both local and international stakeholders speculating about the broader implications for South Sudan’s already volatile political landscape.

In the absence of an official statement explaining the motive for this dramatic reshuffle, questions continue to swirl about the balance of power within Kiir’s administration and the stability of the armed forces — both of which are critical to the nation’s fragile peace process and its uncertain path toward democracy.