- Benjamin Bol Mel was fired after a rift emerged between him and Salva Kiir’s family, following his bid to consolidate control of the president’s office.
- Bol Mel had played a key role in transferring state funds into the pockets of Kiir’s family, gaining their support. Business disputes between him and Adut Salva, Kiir’s daughter, who became concerned about his desire for the presidency, precipitated his downfall.
- Bol Mel has gone the way of a series of Kiir’s previous rivals. In each case, Kiir built up potential contenders for the throne until they revealed their ambitions, at which point they were ruthlessly removed.
- Kiir himself has shown no interest in succession. He remains intent on leading South Sudan into elections postulated for 2026. A succession will nonetheless occur, and likely augur a chaotic period of repeated changes at the top. Kiir has intentionally created a system predicated on eroding the political legitimacy of both the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and the political elite. There is no one in the country able to succeed him.
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