South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit dismissed Interior Minister Angelina Teny on Monday evening, appointing Gen. Aleu Ayieny Aleu, a close ally and former interior minister, as her replacement. Teny, the wife of detained opposition leader Riek Machar, had largely been inactive in the ministry since March 2025, with her duties managed by Deputy Minister Gen. Mangar Buong.
The cabinet reshuffle which happened on Monday, January 19, also saw the removal of Lakes State Governor Gen. Rin Tueny Mabor, as well as several senior ministers, including Dak Duop Bichiok (Public Service), James Hoth Mai (Labour), Nadia Arop Dudi (Culture), Deng Joh Angok (Deputy Governor of Upper Nile State), and Gen. Thoi Chany Reat (General Intelligence Bureau). Their replacements are allies of the president, reflecting a consolidation of power within Kiir’s SPLM Party.
Analysts have criticized the reshuffle, warning that frequent leadership changes may undermine governance reforms, disrupt policy implementation, and exacerbate ethnic and political tensions. Observers note that citizens remain focused on tangible outcomes such as infrastructure development, civil servant and soldier payments, and agricultural investment, rather than frequent ministerial changes.