(JUBA) – South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has dismissed Eng. Chol Thon Abel from his role as Undersecretary in the Ministry of Petroleum, only one week after appointing him. The announcement was made on Monday night by the state broadcaster, the South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation. No explanation was provided.
Eng. Deng Lual Wol, who had held the same position before being removed last week, has now been reinstated. In a separate decree, Chol Thon was reassigned as Technical Advisor at the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation.
The Ministry of Petroleum has been one of the most sensitive portfolios in South Sudan’s transitional government, which was formed under the 2018 peace agreement. The ministry is allocated to the SPLM-IO, the political group led by First Vice President Riek Machar. However, Machar has been suspended and remains on trial in Juba facing treason charges alongside several co-accused.
Control of the oil ministry is seen as strategically important because oil is the main source of government revenue. Leadership changes have been frequent, with appointments often reflecting political bargaining and shifting alliances rather than long term planning.
Eng. Deng Lual brings more than 16 years of experience in oil infrastructure, including work on refineries, pipelines and storage facilities. Before his reinstatement, he made public remarks that Sudan had warned South Sudan about ongoing drone attacks by the Rapid Support Forces on oil facilities in Sudan. According to him, Khartoum indicated that if the attacks continued, it might stop the flow of South Sudan’s crude to Port Sudan for security reasons.
The oil exported through Sudan remains essential for South Sudan’s economy. South Sudan pays transit fees and tariffs to Sudan for the use of pipelines and port infrastructure. Any disruption would have immediate financial and social effects in South Sudan, where government salaries and public services rely heavily on oil income.
Meanwhile, Eng. Chol Thon has a long career in public service and previously served as Managing Director of the national oil company Nile Petroleum Corporation (Nilepet). He also served in senior roles within the petroleum ministry and holds a doctorate in Water Supply Engineering from Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands.
Policy analyst James Boboya Edmund said the rapid changes in the petroleum ministry show competition for influence. He stated that when senior roles are shifted quickly without clear explanations, it affects decision making and management. He added that companies and investors are more cautious when leadership is unstable.
He said these repeated appointments and removals make it harder for the ministry to operate effectively and to respond to challenges such as pipeline security, falling production levels, and negotiations with Sudan.
Oil continues to be the backbone of South Sudan’s economy. However, production has been affected by ageing fields, damage to infrastructure during conflict, and regional instability.
Kiir Reassigns Petroleum Official to Water Ministry
| Issue | Current Situation |
|---|---|
| Petroleum Minister | Puot Kang Chuol detained and on trial |
| Undersecretary Post | Deng Lual reinstated after one week absence |
| Pipeline Security | Sudan warns of possible shutdown due to drone attacks |
| Main Revenue Source | Oil exports via Sudan to Port Sudan |
| Governance Concerns | Frequent leadership changes and political influence |
The latest reshuffle adds to a period of uncertainty in the oil sector at a time when South Sudan is facing financial pressure, international scrutiny and domestic political tensions. Many observers believe that stability in the ministry is necessary for planning, investment and securing the infrastructure that keeps the oil flowing.
National elections have been delayed twice, and the transitional government continues to face questions about governance, unity and institutional stability.