- South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has dismissed Finance Minister Marial Dongrin Ater, marking the seventh change to the position since 2020. Athian Ding Athian, who previously held the role, has been reappointed.
- The minister in charge of investment was also removed. The reshuffle comes amid economic turmoil, with the IMF forecasting a 4.3% contraction and 65.7% inflation for 2025.
- Political tensions remain high following the house arrest of First Vice President Riek Machar in March.
South Sudan’s leadership has undergone another shake-up, with President Salva Kiir dismissing Finance Minister Marial Dongrin Ater — the seventh person to be replaced in that role since 2020. The announcement, made via state-owned radio, also confirmed the removal of the country’s investment minister.
Athian Ding Athian, who previously served as finance minister between 2020 and 2021, has been tapped to return to the post. No official reason was given for the dismissals, but the timing raises questions amid mounting economic and political pressure.
South Sudan’s economy is in dire straits. Years of communal violence, the lingering effects of a brutal civil war, and recent disruptions caused by conflict in neighboring Sudan have all taken a toll. Crude oil, the country’s main export, has seen declining revenues, and the International Monetary Fund now predicts a 4.3% economic contraction for 2025, with inflation soaring to 65.7%.
The political landscape is equally volatile. In March, First Vice President Riek Machar was placed under house arrest, a move that sparked fears of renewed conflict. Government officials accused him of inciting rebellion to derail upcoming elections — claims his party has firmly denied.
Kiir, who has led South Sudan since its independence in 2011, faces growing scrutiny over governance, economic management, and the country’s fragile peace. With cabinet reshuffles, economic freefall, and political arrests dominating headlines, the road ahead looks increasingly uncertain.
