pressug.com News 24 7
Related Articles
A businessman once seen as South Sudan’s next political kingmaker rose quickly through the ranks, only to fall just as fast.
Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel’s journey from construc-tion magnate to vice president and senior party official shows how deeply politics, business, and personal loyalty remain connected in Africa’s youngest nation.
From business to power
Bol Mel started out in business, not politics. He built a large commercial empire through compa-nies such as the then ABMC Construction, which won major government contracts to build roads and other public works. His company was sole contractor for all South Sudanese roads construction.
His firms became central to South Sudan’s con-troversial oil-for-roads initiative, a scheme where crude oil was exchanged for infrastruc-ture projects.
But success also brought scrutiny. In 2017, the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned Bol Mel and his companies under the Global Magnitsky Act, accusing him of corruption, money launder-ing, and acting as a financial front for senior officials.
For most, such sanctions would have ended their career. But in South Sudan, they appeared to strengthen Bol Mel’s image as a man close to power. Through his business network and loy-alty to Kiir, he became one of the president’s most trusted allies, financing political events, managing key projects, and advising on eco-nomic matters.
In a country where control over money often translates to influence, Bol Mel had become a powerful gatekeeper between the state and pri-vate business.
A meteoric rise
By early 2025, Bol Mel’s role had shifted from behind-the-scenes businessman to political heavyweight.
In February, President Kiir appointed him Vice President for the Economic Cluster, replacing James Wani Igga. Just three months later, Bol Mel became First Deputy Chairman of the ruling SPLM, making him the second-most powerful man in the party. In September, Kiir promoted him to full General in the National Security Service (NSS).
His rapid rise surprised many. Analysts and party insiders speculated that Kiir was prepar-ing him as a potential successor, noting Bol Mel’s ability to connect the country’s business and po-litical elites.
For the first time in years, South Sudan seemed to have a visible heir apparent.
But his swift ascent also unsettled the SPLM’s old guard, veterans of the liberation struggle who viewed him as an outsider without revolu-tionary credentials. Still, backed by Kiir’s trust, few dared to challenge him openly.
The turning point
By mid-2025, signs of trouble began to surface. Questions grew around the management of oil revenues and government contracts. Reports emerged of missing funds in the oil-for-roads program, and allegations that Bol Mel’s compa-nies had failed to deliver on major projects.
At the same time, international pressure in-creased. Western partners warned that Kiir’s close ties with a sanctioned figure could harm South Sudan’s image and threaten donor support.
Within the SPLM, senior politicians quietly lob-bied against Bol Mel, portraying him as inexpe-rienced and unfit for top leadership.
Rumours that Bol Mel was being groomed to succeed President Kiir earned him the nickname “Crown Prince.” But that perception began to fade after the president appointed his daughter, Adut Salva Kiir, as Senior Presidential Envoy for Special Programs.
The move was widely seen as a political check-mate, a signal that power would remain within the Kiir family. Former presidential press secre-tary Ateny Wek Ateny described the appoint-ment as the coming of “Wun Weng,” a Dinka phrase meaning “the cow’s owner” who has ar-rived to reclaim what is his.
Then came the final blow. On the evening of November 12, 2025, President Kiir issued a de-cree removing Bol Mel from his position as vice president, stripping him of his SPLM role, and demoting him from general to private in the se-curity services.
“Pursuant to the provisions of Section 51(4) of the National Security Service Act, 2014 (as amended), I, Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan and Supreme Commander of All Regular Forces, do hereby demote Gen. Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel to the rank of Private, and he is hereby dismissed from the National Security Service,” the decree read on the state broadcaster.
His security detail was withdrawn within hours earlier, a clear signal that his political fortune had collapsed.
He is said to be under house arrest.
The sweeping changes also saw the dismissal of several of Mel’s close allies, including Addis Ababa Othow, who was removed as Governor of the Bank of South Sudan and replaced by Yeni Samuel Costa, and Simon Akuei, who was sacked as Commissioner General of the South Sudan Revenue Authority, with William Anyuon Kuol taking over. Paul Logale was also replaced as SPLM Secretary General by Akol Paul Kordit.
Why he fell
Bol Mel’s dramatic downfall stemmed from sev-eral factors, according to some analysts.
First, allegations of corruption and poor perfor-mance in the oil-for-roads program damaged his credibility. His companies were accused of di-verting millions of dollars while delivering little on the ground.
Second, his rise created deep divisions within the SPLM. Long-time party figures felt threat-ened by his influence and worked behind the scenes to undermine him. Once Kiir’s confi-dence wavered, those rivals quickly regaineddence wavered, those rivals quickly regained ground.
Third, growing international criticism over Bol Mel’s sanctioned status and opaque dealings in-creased pressure on the presidency, forcing Kiir to act.
Finally, speculation that Bol Mel was being groomed as Kiir’s successor fueled political anxi-ety a perception that, in South Sudan’s fragile power system, became more of a curse than a blessing.
What comes next
Bol Mel’s removal has left South Sudan’s politi-cal future uncertain. His fall reopened long-standing rivalries within the SPLM and raised fresh questions about who might succeed Kiir.
For many observers, his story captures the frag-ile nature of power in Juba where loyalty of-ten outweighs institutions, and where political fortunes can change overnight.
In the end, Dr Benjamin Bol Mel’s rise and fall serve as a stark reminder: in South Sudan, even those closest to power can lose it in an instant leaving behind the echo of unfinished roads and unfulfilled promises.
Bol Remains Calm, Wishes Kiir Well
In a display of remarkable grace under pressure, Bol Mel responded not with bitterness, but with heartfelt commendation for his former boss. In an open letter to Kiir, shared on his X account on Thursday, the ousted VP expressed profound gratitude for the “privilege to serve the people of South Sudan.”
“Holding these responsibilities was among the greatest honours of my life, and I remain sincerely grateful for the trust you extended to me,” said Bol Mel.
Reflecting on his contributions, Bol Mel highlighted his dedication “to advancing your vision for a stable, prosperous, and self-reliant South Sudan,” including strides in long-term economic foundations, private-sector growth, and diplomatic outreach.
As SPLM First Deputy, he alluded to have focused on “reviving the party’s structures and reinvigorating grassroots support ahead of the general elections, and contributing to peace-building efforts across the nation.”
He credited Kiir’s “enabling environment and steady leadership” for these gains, adding: “These achievements were possible by the enabling environment and steady leadership you consistently fostered.”
Bol Mel’s letter also extended thanks to the South Sudanese people for their “support and goodwill throughout my service,” noting how their “diligence, patriotism, and enduring hope for a brighter future continue to inspire me deeply.”
Looking ahead, he affirmed full confidence in Kiir’s stewardship.
“As our nation moves forward, I have full confidence that South Sudan and the SPLM will continue to rise under your leadership. You have set our country on the right path, defined by unity, peace, and inclusive development,” he said.
