South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has dismissed the governor of Warrap State, Gen. Francis Marial Abur, after just four months in office, state television reported on Tuesday.
No reason was given for the removal of Gen. Abur, who was appointed in October 2024. He has been replaced by Magok Magok Deng, who will now serve as the state’s governor.
This marks the fourth time in four months that President Kiir has appointed and then removed the governor of Warrap State, his home area.
The previous governors include Kuol Muor Muor, who was ousted in October 2024, and former intelligence chief Gen. Akol Koor Kuc, whose appointment was revoked before he could take office.
Warrap State has been plagued by intercommunal violence, revenge killings, and cattle raids, which have contributed to ongoing instability.
Last week, clashes between two communities in Tonj North County left nearly 11 people dead, underscoring the state’s volatile security situation.
In a separate decree, President Kiir also dismissed Dr. Chol Deng Alak, the chief administrator of the Abyei Special Administrative Area, replacing him with Justice Charles Abyei Jok.
Dr. Chol had held the position since January 2023 and had served in the role multiple times since 2017.
The Abyei region, which is claimed by both Sudan and South Sudan, has a special administrative status and is governed by officials appointed by South Sudan’s government in Juba.
President Kiir issued additional decrees, relieving Santino Bol Montier as deputy chairperson of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission and appointing Aguek Ring Mabil as his replacement. He also revoked the appointment of Korwel Kuai Korwel as chairperson of the Council of National Bureau of Standards.
Policy analysts and some officials have raised concerns that the frequent reshuffling of government officials is disrupting public service delivery and undermining the implementation of key government strategies.
President Salva Kiir has repeatedly used his constitutional authority to appoint and dismiss officials, including ministers, undersecretaries, and other senior postholders, often after only a few months in office.
South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011, is scheduled to hold elections in December 2026, where voters will elect a president, members of parliament, and state representatives.
President Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar are key figures in a fragile peace agreement signed in 2018. However, the agreement faces significant challenges, including the unification of armed groups into a national army and the drafting of a permanent constitution.