JUBA – President Kiir wielded his favorite weapon on Wednesday with a major reshuffle in military and political positions, as Beny Gideon saw his appointment as Minister of East African Affairs revoked within two days, Dr. Lam Akol relieved as transport minister and Gen. Paul Nang reappointed as chief of defense forces (CDF).
Beny Gideon, who previously served as Undersecretary in the EAC ministry, was relieved on October 6 and appointed as the Minister of East African Affairs to replace Deng Alor Kuol, a veteran political figure, who held the post since July 2020.
But two days later, on October 8, Kiir has revoked Gideon’s appointment and instead named Pieng Deng Kuol as the EAC Minister.
The President also relieved Gen. Dau Aturjong as Chief of Defense Force of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and reappointed Paul Nang Majok as the CDF. Nang previously held the same position between December 2024 and July 2025.
The outgoing army chief Gen. Dau was appointed as Technical Advisor in the Ministry of Defense and Veterans Affairs.
Further, Kiir relieved Dr. Lam Akol as Minister of Transport and Rezik Zechariah Hassan as Minister of Wildlife and Tourism. In another decree, Kiir named Rezik Zechariah as new transport minister and Denay Jock Chagor as wildlife minister.
He then named Deng Tong as new Undersecretary in the Ministry of Labour, replacing Mary Hillary, who has been transferred to the Ministry of EAC as Undersecretary.