President’s Deputy Placed Under House Arrest Hours After Being Sacked

South Sudan is once again in political turmoil after President Salva Kiir dismissed one of his deputies, Benjamin Bol Mel, and placed him under house arrest just hours later.

According to sources in Juba, security officers surrounded Bol’s home on the evening of November 12, shortly after his dismissal was announced on national television. 

His family and staff were barred from leaving or entering the compound until the next morning. 

Witnesses say both the army and intelligence officers sealed off all roads leading to his residence.

One of Bol’s close aides revealed that soldiers confiscated several personal items including laptops, documents, and cash. 

His personal security detail was also replaced with new guards loyal to the government. This marked the beginning of his confinement at home, with no official statement explaining the move.

President Kiir’s decree not only removed Bol from his role as Vice President in charge of the Economic Cluster, but also stripped him of his position in the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and his military rank. He was demoted from General to Private, a public humiliation that shocked even his political rivals.

While no reasons were given for his abrupt dismissal, insiders in Juba say tensions had been brewing between Bol and some members of Kiir’s inner circle. 

Others claim his removal could be connected to ongoing corruption investigations and old U.S. sanctions that have trailed him since 2017. 

The sanctions accused him of participating in large-scale graft and misuse of public funds.

Bol’s situation mirrors that of other top South Sudanese leaders who have recently faced similar crackdowns. 

Earlier this year, Riek Machar, the country’s First Vice President and leader of the SPLM-In Opposition, was also detained with his wife, Angelina Teny. 

The two were accused of undermining peace efforts ahead of next year’s national elections.

Their arrests drew condemnation from regional observers who warned that South Sudan’s fragile peace could collapse if political repression continues. 

The country is still struggling to recover from years of civil war that began shortly after gaining independence in 2011.

Amid growing tension, Kenya’s President William Ruto, who currently chairs the East African Community (EAC), stepped in to prevent further instability. 

Ruto reportedly tasked Raila Odinga, Kenya’s former Prime Minister and regional peace envoy, to mediate between the warring factions in Juba.

Raila is said to have engaged both President Kiir and opposition leader Machar to ease tensions and prevent renewed fighting. 

Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary, Korir Sing’oei, confirmed that Raila’s mission was to deliver Ruto’s message and push for dialogue under the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) framework.

Raila expressed optimism that with continued regional support, South Sudan could avoid another round of violence. 

“Our focus is to protect the peace deal and help South Sudan achieve long-term stability,” he reportedly said during his briefing to IGAD leaders.

South Sudan’s path to peace has been long and painful. After independence, hopes were high, but by 2013 the country plunged into war following a bitter power struggle between Salva Kiir and Riek Machar. 

The conflict displaced millions and claimed hundreds of thousands of lives before a 2018 peace deal restored some calm.

However, recent developments — including the arrests of top leaders — show that deep political mistrust still runs through the nation’s leadership. 

Observers fear that without transparency and reconciliation, South Sudan’s progress could once again be reversed.