South Sudanese President Salva Kiir dismissed Finance Minister Salvatore Garang Mabiordit late Wednesday, replacing him with Kuol Daniel Ayulo. The move, announced via state media, ends Mabiordit’s second brief stint in the role.
Kuol Daniel Ayulo, formerly the ministry’s First Undersecretary, takes over as the nation’s tenth finance chief since 2020. No official reason was provided for the sudden reshuffle of the critical economic portfolio.
The dismissal comes as South Sudan faces a deepening fiscal crisis. Consumer inflation is projected to hit 33.3% in 2026, while the local currency has plummeted to approximately 4,639 South Sudanese pound (SSP) per U.S. dollar.
Civil servants and security forces have reportedly gone 8 to 13 months without pay. This liquidity shortage is exacerbated by the 2024–2025 closure of the Dar Blend pipeline in neighboring Sudan, which decimated vital oil revenues.
Despite daily oil production recovering toward 157,000 barrels in early 2026, the budget remains strained. The fiscal deficit is expected to widen to 4.0% of GDP as the government attempts to clear salary arrears.
This leadership churn coincides with mounting pressure on the transitional government to stabilize the economy before national elections. The polls, currently scheduled for December 2026, represent a critical milestone for the young nation.
