(JUBA) – President Salva Kiir Mayardit has dismissed the country’s Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr Marial Dongrin Ater, just one year after his appointment. The decision was announced on state television late on Thursday, with no explanation provided.
Dr Ater, who took office in July 2024, has been replaced by Athian Diing Athian. The new appointee is not new to the post, having previously served as finance minister between September 2020 and November 2021, before being replaced by Agak Achuil Lual. He also briefly headed the South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA) in 2023.
This marks the seventh change of leadership at the Ministry of Finance since 2020, a pattern that observers say is eroding confidence in the country’s economic management.
South Sudan’s economy remains under intense pressure, with widespread cash shortages affecting banks and households. In July, Central Bank Governor Dr Addis Ababa Othow said the institution would print more South Sudanese Pounds as a temporary measure to ease the liquidity crisis.
Speaking to media, Dr Abraham Maliet Mamer, an economic analyst and advisor to the Economic Cluster of the transitional government, said the reshuffle comes as the president searches for solutions to the deepening economic crisis.
He described the incoming finance minister as experienced, but warned that circumstances today are far more difficult than during his previous tenure.
“The time now is different from when he was minister before. His return is a big challenge, so he has to work harder and move quickly,” Dr Mamer explained. He advised Athian to rely on past experience and mobilise technical expertise within the ministry to confront the crisis.
However, civil society voices have raised concern over the frequency of such changes. Political commentator Edmund Yakani argued that the revolving door at the finance ministry is itself contributing to instability.
“The regular reshuffling of finance ministers is becoming a factor of economic and financial instability,” Yakani said. “This culture of frequent changes also nurtures corruption and undermines efforts to implement public finance reforms.”
Yakani warned that the shake up could delay the passing of the 2025 to 2026 national budget, further complicating government operations.
The presidential decrees extended beyond the Ministry of Finance. Dr Dhieu Mathok Diing was dismissed as Minister of Investment and replaced by Joseph Muom Majak, a former trade minister. Meanwhile, Arop Nuoi Arop, the First Undersecretary of Finance, was also removed and succeeded by Garang Majak Bol, who previously held the same position.
The reshuffle comes at a time when South Sudan is facing one of its toughest economic environments since independence, with declining oil revenues, high inflation and severe currency shortages. Analysts say the stability and performance of the new finance leadership will be closely watched both inside and outside the country.