South Sudan's President Salva Kiir has fired the country's army chief, General Paul Nang, and Finance Minister Salvatore Garang Mabiordit — the latter having held the post for less than three months. General Nang, who had led the military since October, was reportedly under scrutiny over the nation's deteriorating security situation, and has been replaced by General Santino Deng Wol, a Kiir ally who previously held the role from 2020 to 2024. The dismissals are the latest in a series of high-level sackings — including the foreign minister and parliamentary speaker earlier this year — which analysts say reflect Kiir's efforts to consolidate power amid instability and uncertainty ahead of elections expected in December, which would be South Sudan's first since gaining independence from Sudan in 2011.