South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has dismissed the governor of the country’s northeastern Upper Nile state as violent clashes intensify between government forces and an ethnic militia linked to his political rival, First Vice President Riek Machar.
The decision follows the withdrawal of government troops from the strategic town of Nasir, near the Ethiopian border, after an offensive by the White Army militia. The militia’s recent gains have heightened tensions between Kiir and Machar, further complicating the country’s already fragile peace process.
Authorities have yet to name a replacement for the removed governor or provide an official explanation for his dismissal. However, the move signals a potential shift in government strategy as instability continues to grow in the region.