Bak Barnaba Chol. File
| Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
South Sudan President Salva Kiir fired Finance Minister Bak Barnaba Chol in a reshuffle that was unveiled on state television on Monday evening (February 23, 2026).
Mr. Chol was appointed to the post in November after the President fired Athian Diing Athian just two months after appointing him.
Mr. Kiir appointed Salvatore Garang, an economist trained at the University of Khartoum in Sudan, as the new Finance Minister.
Mr. Garang previously served as Finance Minister from 2018 to 2020, a period marked by economic reforms and fiscal strains.
During his first stint in the role, local media reported that Mr. Garang faced corruption allegations, including that he allocated $100,000 to cover the cost of his son’s funeral. He has not commented on the allegations.
The decree also removed several other senior officials, including the Commissioner General of the National Revenue Authority, as part of the broader administrative changes.
Analysts say Mr. Kiir regularly makes changes to ranks in the military and government to maintain control as he contends with armed conflict and speculation about his eventual succession. No reason was given for the ninth change in the Finance Minister since 2020.
Published – February 24, 2026 02:03 pm IST
