President Kiir showed off his chosen replacement, Vice President Benjamin Bol Mel, to Ugandan President Museveni during a visit to Juba on Thursday. Museveni became the first foreign leader to come to South Sudan since safety problems flared up last month. He came hoping to calm things down in this war-torn country next door to Uganda. The meeting included many top officials - Uganda brought defense minister Jacob Oboth Oboth, foreign affairs minister Malimba John, security advisor Proscovia Nalweyiso, and their ambassador Ronnie Balya.
The two presidents first talked privately with just a few key people present. Kiir kept his ministers for presidential affairs, foreign affairs, and defense close by during these talks. The wealthy Bol Mel missed this private chat but later met Museveni when Kiir brought him in. Bol Mel married Kiir's daughter and won the powerful vice president job on February 10, 2025. He replaced Wani Iga, an old-time SPLM party leader. Kiir also put his son-in-law in charge of the money as head of the economic team.
Most people see Bol Mel's rise as preparation for him to take over from Kiir, who grows older and weaker every day. Kiir pushed out long-serving SPLM party members like Wani Iga and attacked Dr. Riek Machar's SPLA-IO group, seemingly clearing any obstacles for Bol Mel. The country should hold elections for president and parliament according to the peace deal signed in 2018, which created the current unity government. Thursday marked the second time Kiir placed Bol Mel near President Museveni, who greatly influences South Sudan affairs.
Back in March 2023, Kiir sent Bol Mel to deliver a special message to Museveni. The Ugandan leader has stood beside Kiir for many years and helped create the 2018 agreement that stopped South Sudan's brutal civil war. But recent Ugandan troop movements faced heavy criticism from opposition groups, who claim Uganda favors one side in South Sudan's internal politics. Uganda has always played a big role in South Sudan, backing the Juba government with military help and acting as a peacemaker in the region. Ugandan forces fought in South Sudan before, during the 2013-2016 civil war.
The United States government placed sanctions against Bol Mel on December 21, 2017, making his rise to power even more remarkable.
The two presidents first talked privately with just a few key people present. Kiir kept his ministers for presidential affairs, foreign affairs, and defense close by during these talks. The wealthy Bol Mel missed this private chat but later met Museveni when Kiir brought him in. Bol Mel married Kiir's daughter and won the powerful vice president job on February 10, 2025. He replaced Wani Iga, an old-time SPLM party leader. Kiir also put his son-in-law in charge of the money as head of the economic team.
Most people see Bol Mel's rise as preparation for him to take over from Kiir, who grows older and weaker every day. Kiir pushed out long-serving SPLM party members like Wani Iga and attacked Dr. Riek Machar's SPLA-IO group, seemingly clearing any obstacles for Bol Mel. The country should hold elections for president and parliament according to the peace deal signed in 2018, which created the current unity government. Thursday marked the second time Kiir placed Bol Mel near President Museveni, who greatly influences South Sudan affairs.
Back in March 2023, Kiir sent Bol Mel to deliver a special message to Museveni. The Ugandan leader has stood beside Kiir for many years and helped create the 2018 agreement that stopped South Sudan's brutal civil war. But recent Ugandan troop movements faced heavy criticism from opposition groups, who claim Uganda favors one side in South Sudan's internal politics. Uganda has always played a big role in South Sudan, backing the Juba government with military help and acting as a peacemaker in the region. Ugandan forces fought in South Sudan before, during the 2013-2016 civil war.
The United States government placed sanctions against Bol Mel on December 21, 2017, making his rise to power even more remarkable.
