JUBA. President Salva Kiir Mayardit has appointed Ms Ahok Ajiek Amet as the new Executive Secretary to the Office of the President.
The announcement, made on Thursday, comes amid a series of high-level reshuffles signals Kiir’s tightening grip on power ahead of the upcoming elections and reflects growing anxiety within the government over political loyalty, economic instability and intensifying internal competition.
“President Salva Kiir Mayardit has welcomed two new, senior staff members to the Office of the President,” said the presidency.
During a formal ceremony in Juba, Kiir extended a handshake to Amet, emphasizing her role in supporting the executive’s operations.
“Ms. Ahok Ajiek Amet will serve as Executive Secretary to the President,” the statement added highlighting her immediate integration into the inner circle.
Concurrently, Mr. Moses Rou Ayii was appointed Private Secretary, replacing Deng Bona Bang Dhel who was relieved on November 6.
This appointment caps a whirlwind of changes in Kiir’s administration over the past two weeks. On November 3, the president issued sweeping decrees sacking key figures, including Finance Minister Salvatore Garang Mabiordit and National Security Advisor Tut Gatluak Manime—only to reappoint Gatluak days later as Presidential Advisor on National Security. The reshuffle extended to the military and petroleum sectors, with Undersecretary Deng Lual removed from the Ministry of Petroleum and replaced by Chol Deng.
Tensions escalated on November 12 when Kiir dismissed Vice President Benjamin Bol Mel, a once-rumored successor and economic cluster head, stripping him of his SPLM deputy chairmanship and demoting him from general to private in the National Security Service. The decree, broadcast on state television, stated no reasons but ignited speculation of internal power struggles within the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM).
Bol Mel responded graciously: “As Vice President, I dedicated myself to advancing your vision for a stable, prosperous and self-reliant South Sudan.”
Akol Paul Kordit was named the new SPLM Secretary General, succeeding Paul Logale.
Earlier on November 5, Kiir relieved Chief Administrator Sebit Bullen and appointed Valentino Dhel Malueth in his place, alongside James Deng Wal as Executive Director. These shifts, justified by Kiir as efforts to combat corruption and enhance governance, occur against a backdrop of delayed elections, economic woes, and stalled implementation of the 2018 peace accord with First Vice President Riek Machar.
Analysts view the appointments as Kiir consolidating loyalists ahead of potential polls in 2026.
Ahok Ajiek Amet, who hails from the Kuac Ayok community in Lakes State, brings a wealth of administrative experience to the role. A graduate of the University of Juba, she has served in capacity-building initiatives through the Local Capacity Development (LCAD) program in South Sudan, focusing on public sector reforms.
She is an advocate for community empowerment and gender inclusion in governance.