Archive · 22 Aug 2025
South Sudan President Fires Finance Minister, Seventh Since 2020
South Sudan's president, Salva Kiir, has replaced his finance minister, making it the seventh change since 2020.
The new finance minister is Athian Ding Athian, who previously held the job.
South Sudan's economy faces difficulties, including dwindling oil revenue and disruptions from the war in neighboring Sudan.
Experts predict the economy will shrink in 2025, and prices will rise significantly.
In related news, the First Vice President, Riek Machar, was put under house arrest earlier this year.
The government stated it was because he contacted supporters and planned to disrupt peace, while his party denies the accusations.
South Sudan's President Salva Kiir fired the finance minister, Marial Dongrin Ater.
This is the seventh finance minister to be replaced since 2020.
Athian Ding Athian will replace Ater, having held the position previously.
The IMF forecasts a 4.3% economic contraction for 2025 and 65.7% inflation.
First Vice President Riek Machar was placed under house arrest in March.
- Who
- Salva Kiir (President), Marial Dongrin Ater (former Minister), Athian Ding Athian (new Minister)
- What
- South Sudan's President fired the finance minister and replaced him.
- When
- Recently, the announcement was made on state radio.
- Where
- South Sudan
- Why
- The reason for the firing was not provided.
Government's View
Machar's Party View
Reason for First Vice President's Arrest
Government's View
The arrest was due to Machar contacting his supporters and “agitating them to rebel against the government with the aim of disrupting peace so that elections are not held and South Sudan goes back to war.”
Machar's Party View
Machar’s party denies the accusations.
- President
- Salva Kiir
- Former Finance Minister
- Marial Dongrin Ater
- New Finance Minister
- Athian Ding Athian
- First Vice President
- Riek Machar
- IMF Economic Contraction Forecast (2025)
- 4.3%
- IMF Inflation Forecast (2025)
- 65.7%