By: Chol Mawel
South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has promoted Vice President Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel to the rank of full general in the Internal Bureau of the National Security Service, state media reported on Monday.
The ceremony took place at the presidential palace in Juba, marking Mel’s third major promotion within a year and sparking fresh debate about his rising influence.
Mel was appointed vice president in February, taking charge of the government’s economic cluster, and in May he became the first deputy chairman of the ruling SPLM party. A close ally of President Kiir, he is increasingly viewed as a potential successor. In 2017, the U.S. sanctioned him over claims his construction company benefited from state contracts.
Kiir also elevated other senior figures, including National Security Minister Mamur Obote Mete and Presidential Advisor on National Security Affairs Madut Dut Yel, both of whom were promoted from lieutenant general to full general. Defense Minister Gen. Chol Thon Balok attended the event.
The promotions come amid heightened political tensions following the detention of First Vice President Riek Machar, who has been accused of attempting to spark a rebellion. Last week, Kiir suspended Machar and referred him to court on charges of treason and crimes against humanity linked to a March militia attack in Nasir County, Upper Nile.
Machar’s party, the SPLM-IO, rejected the allegations and said his suspension effectively nullified the 2018 peace deal. On Monday, the group’s acting leader Oyet Nathaniel declared the transitional government “collapsed and illegitimate,” vowing to push for regime change.
The United Nations has since warned that South Sudan risks sliding back into full-scale conflict.
