South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has once again dismissed the country’s Finance Minister, marking the seventh time the position has changed hands since 2020.
The decision, announced on state-owned radio, on Thursday, highlights the persistent instability and economic turmoil plaguing the world’s youngest nation.
Marial Dongrin Ater, who was appointed to the post in July 2024, was removed without an official reason. His tenure lasted just over a year.
The decree named Athian Ding Athian as the new Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, a position he previously held between 2020 and 2021. The President also fired the minister in charge of investment.
The frequent turnover in the finance ministry is seen by many as a symptom of South Sudan’s deep-rooted economic crisis, which is characterized by a weak currency, high inflation, and dwindling oil revenues.
South Sudan’s economy is heavily dependent on crude oil exports, and its performance has been severely impacted by years of civil war and, more recently, by export disruptions caused by the conflict in neighboring Sudan.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected a 4.3% contraction of the economy for 2025 and a high inflation rate of 65.7% for the same period.
While President Kiir has previously stated that he is searching for a finance minister who can “reboot the struggling economy,” many argue that the constant reshuffling disrupts policy continuity and undermines efforts to implement long-term reforms.
The recent dismissal comes amidst a challenging political climate. First Vice President Riek Machar was placed under house arrest in March, sparking fears of renewed conflict. The government claimed the move was to prevent Machar from “agitating” his supporters and disrupting the peace process, a claim Machar’s party denies. Reuters reported.
The appointment of Athian Ding Athian marks a return to the ministry for the former official. His previous term as finance minister from September 2020 to November 2021 ended with his dismissal for what was reported as alleged insubordination. His return to the post signals the government’s continued struggle to find a stable and effective hand to steer the country’s economy.
