South Sudan's President Salva Kiir Takes Drastic Measures Amid Economic Crisis

President Kiir Removes Central Bank Leadership Amidst Economic Challenges

South Sudan's President Salva Kiir has taken decisive action to address the country's ongoing economic troubles by relieving the governor of the Central Bank and his two deputies from their positions.

In a televised presidential decree announced on the state-run South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC), President Kiir announced the dismissal of Bank Governor Johnny Ohisa Damian, First Deputy Governor Addis Ababa Othow, and Second Deputy Governor John Maciek Acuoth.

Governor Johnny Ohisa Damian was promptly succeeded by Dr. James Alic Garang, as outlined in the presidential decree.

While no specific reasons were provided for the removal of Ohisa and his deputies, South Sudan has been grappling with high inflation and the depreciation of the South Sudanese Pound (SSP) against the U.S. dollar.

It's worth noting that Johnny Ohisa Damian assumed the role of central bank governor in August 2022, having previously held various positions within the central bank, including deputy governor.

Additionally, President Kiir made key appointments in the financial sector. Samuel Yanga Mikaya was named the new First Deputy Governor of the Central Bank, and Nyiel Gordon Kuol was appointed as the Second Deputy Governor of the Central Bank.

In a separate decree, President Kiir ousted Athian Diing Athian, the Commissioner General of the National Revenue Authority (NRA), and replaced him with Africano Monday, who previously served as the Deputy Commissioner General of the NRA. Albino Dak Kur was also appointed as the new Deputy Commissioner General of the NRA.

Despite these changes, the president did not elaborate on the specific reasons behind these decisions. Activists have criticized President Salva Kiir in the past for removing government officials without holding them accountable for alleged mismanagement during their tenure.