President Salva Kiir on Monday dismissed Finance Minister Bak Barnaba Chol in a government reshuffle broadcast on state television, appointing economist Salvatore Garang as his replacement.
Chol, who took office in November 2025, had succeeded Athian Diing Athian, making this the ninth finance minister change since 2020. No reason was provided for the latest dismissal.
Garang, trained at the University of Khartoum, Sudan, previously served as finance minister from 2018 to 2020, a period marked by economic reforms and fiscal pressures. During that tenure, he faced corruption allegations, including the reported allocation of $100,000 for his son’s funeral, though he has not publicly addressed the claims.
The decree also removed several other senior officials, including the commissioner general of the National Revenue Authority, signaling broader administrative changes. Analysts note that President Kiir frequently reshuffles military and government ranks to maintain control amid ongoing armed conflicts and uncertainties surrounding his succession.
