MWE Correspondent
South Sudan’s political landscape has once again been shaken after President Salva Kiir dismissed his Finance Minister, Athian Diing Athian, barely two months after appointing him.
The decision, announced by the national broadcaster on November 3, 2025, marks yet another reshuffle in the fragile nation’s leadership — the eighth change of finance minister since 2020.
Athian’s removal comes without an official explanation, continuing a pattern of abrupt dismissals that have become synonymous with Kiir’s administration. In his place, the president appointed Barnaba Bak Chol, a familiar figure who previously held the same position before being dismissed in March 2024.
Since gaining independence from Sudan, South Sudan has struggled to achieve political and economic stability. Despite vast oil reserves, the country’s economy has been crippled by years of conflict, corruption, and mismanagement. Analysts say the frequent reshuffles within key ministries have eroded public trust and slowed progress toward reform and development.
Observers believe the decision to remove Athian could be linked to deepening tensions within the ruling elite over control of oil revenues and donor funds. The finance ministry plays a critical role in managing South Sudan’s fragile economy, which depends heavily on petroleum exports for nearly all its revenue. Each minister’s short tenure has disrupted continuity, leaving the country vulnerable to inflation and budget shortfalls.
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Barnaba Bak Chol’s reinstatement is seen by some as a move by President Kiir to restore confidence among investors and international partners. However, others view it as a sign of political recycling — a strategy to maintain loyalty within the ruling circles rather than bring fresh solutions to the nation’s worsening economic crisis.
The leadership shake-up comes as South Sudan prepares for long-delayed elections, which have been postponed twice since 2022. The fragile peace agreement that ended the South Sudanese Civil War remains under strain, with unresolved disputes between Kiir and his rival, First Vice President Riek Machar.
For ordinary citizens, the reshuffle brings little optimism. Prices of basic commodities continue to soar, unemployment remains high, and public servants face delayed salaries. Many South Sudanese say the cycle of dismissals has become a political theatre that does not address the hardships facing the population.
Despite hopes for stability, the path forward appears uncertain. Whether Barnaba Bak Chol’s return will bring meaningful change or mark yet another chapter of political turbulence remains to be seen.
