By Philip Nyarmong Atong
Juba, 7th August 2024, One week ago, an article detailed how Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel holds six positions within President Salva Kiir’s government. I will provide a summary for those unfamiliar with the content: There is a seventh position not mentioned by the writer—Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel is also a member of the board of directors of Nilepet.
- Presidential Advisor for Special Programs
In this role, Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel significantly influences various government programs, including the operations of the President’s office. He effectively shares office space with President Salva Kiir and Amb. Ritah Latua the officer manager of the President. It’s in this role where he intercepts and directs presidential activities. His influence extends to economics, finance, energy, and security issues, including the recent controversial security decisions like hiring Ugandan special forces to guard the president. This arose after a confrontation with key security chiefs over the diversion of oil revenue meant for civil servant payments to pay his company’s subcontractors. - Member of the Political Bureau of SPLM
This is a high political bod of SPLM, it’s chaired by President Salva Kiir and vice-chaired by Dr. Wani Igga, Gen. Daniel Awet Akot, and Gen. Kuol Manyang Juuk, the membership of this bureau includes senior members such as Hon. Nhial Deng Nhial and Hon. Mark Nyepoc. Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel aspires to be a future chairmanship candidate and has maneuvered to sideline other young SPLM leaders, thereby enhancing his own political standing within the party.
- Deputy Secretary General for Political Mobilisation in SPLM
To facilitate his political aspirations, a party reshuffle replaced Dr. Akol Paul Khor, installing Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel as Deputy Secretary General while retaining his Political Bureau membership. This dual role allows him to report directly to the Political Bureau, strengthening his influence in transitional politics within both the party and the country.
- Lieutenant General in South Sudan National Security
Initially he was promoted to the rank of a Major General. Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel was again promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General in a private commissioning ceremony attended by the President and the commander of defence forces Gen. Santino Deng Wol. This promotion followed confrontations with military generals and which he perceived threats from lower-ranking NSS officers. Despite lacking military training, he is now ranks as the third most senior officer in the National Security Services after Gen. Akol Koor Kuch. There are even rumors and jokes suggesting his ambitions to become a Vice President, which highlight the rapid rise in his political and military stature. These rumors contribute to the perception that he might be President Kiir’s chosen successor, bolstering his business dealings and securing loyal followers who mitigate any fallout from his actions around the President. Ambassador Ritah Lotua is among the many agents he has strategically positioned to consolidate his influence and sustain his presidential controlling mechanism.
- Chairman of Africa Resource Company (ARC)
After the original construction company was sanctioned by the Americans, Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel and his Thailand’s partner registered a new company to continue the business of the original ABMC company. As full-time chairman of ARC, Dr. Bol Mel oversees day-to-day business decisions and lobbies the government for contracts. Through this company, he secured the contract for construction of roads across South Sudan, effectively monopolizing the country’s road construction efforts. The ambitious project was to be funded using the “oil for road” scheme, wherein a certain amount of crude oil allocation would be used to finance the road project. It started with 30,000 barrels per day, translating to roughly 900,000 barrels per month or two crude cargo shipments monthly. However, instead of focusing on infrastructure development, Dr. Bol Mel allegedly diverted funds to finance his political aspirations and regional business ventures. He strategically placed allies within the civil service to serve his interests, exemplified by the promotion and placement of Amb. Ritah Lotua’s husband in South Africa, where he has significant business investments. Using these financial resources, Dr. Bol Mel has indulged in a lavish lifestyle, traveling by private jet. Unfortunately, many subcontractors remain unpaid, resulting in debts exceeding USD 1.3 billion. Despite various lawsuits against ARC and Dr. Bol Mel, most have been suppressed due to his immunity and security protection, sometimes exceeding that of President Salva Kiir. To counter his project’s shortcomings, Dr. Bol Mel has undertaken symbolic construction efforts in Warrap State to win confidence from the President’s stronghold.
- Chairman of the National Chamber of Commerce
Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel holds the position of chairman of the National Chamber of Commerce. Although he recently installed an unqualified crony in the role, he still effectively makes all significant decisions. This position allows him to eliminate competition, controlling trade and contract allocations throughout the country.
- Member of the Board of Directors, NilePet
As a board member of NilePet, the government entity representing South Sudan’s interests in the oil sector, Dr. Bol Mel influences policy decisions regarding cargo allocation. Collaborating with the Minister of Petroleum and other powerful individuals involved in the country’s energy politics, he has strategically placed his right-hand advisor, Eng. Awow Daniel Chaung, as Minister of Finance and Economic Planning—a transition that shocked the nation. Dr. Bol Mel orchestrated this to secure a USD 500 million loan from a Middle Eastern lender, which previous ministers had resisted. As oil production in South Sudan declines and issues persist with the pipeline in Sudan, Dr. Bol Mel has turned to mortgage future oil revenues for the next 30 years, purportedly to fund infrastructure development.
The recent revelation of Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel’s affair with a married woman who works as the office manager for the President brings into sharp focus his character and methods.
Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel has long sought power and influence, often leveraging financial means and strategic marriages. He has married women from various regions where his road construction projects have passed. On his way to Bor, he married two women from the area, providing them with houses locally and abroad. In Kenya, he has acquired multiple houses through different marriages. Traveling through the Lakes State, he formed marital ties in Terkeka, Yirol, and Rumbek and is reportedly set to wed a woman from Gok. These alliances have helped him reduce tensions and secure powerful supporters along his routes.
Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel’s relationship with Ambassador Ritah began years ago on a commercial basis. He provided subcontracts to Ritah’s family and employed her relatives. Ritah, hailing from Keji Keji with strong connections to Uganda’s ruling class, represented multiple benefits for Bol Mel. She not only had influence around President Salva Kiir but also served as a connection to Ugandan leadership. With Ritah’s help, Bol Mel ingratiated himself with individuals in Uganda’s state house, presenting himself as the son of President Salva Kiir and a potential successor in South Sudan.
Leveraging his financial resources, he managed to penetrate the highest organs of the Ugandan government, even going so far as to request the deployment of Ugandan Special Forces to protect President Kiir. This maneuver, unbeknownst to the South Sudanese government and its security sector, sparked public outcry. According to the
arrangement, Ugandan forces would be paid millions of dollars to protect the President and Dr. Bol Mel against alleged coup plots by South Sudanese security forces. When challenged, Bol Mel argued there was nothing wrong, citing other political leaders like Dr. Riek Machar and Vice President Rebecca who are protected by foreign forces from Sudan and Kenya, respectively.
Ambassador Ritah Lotua, caught in Dr. Bol Mel’s broader scheme for political power, has faced multiple transfer attempts from her position, which were annulled by the President at Bol Mel’s request. This underscores her importance in Dr. Bol Mel’s strategy to influence President Salva Kiir’s decisions on national issues.
Currently, Bol Mel is focusing on the office of the Minister in the Office of the President. He has requested the President to fire Hon. Joseph Bakasoro Bangasi, accusing him of destabilizing his agents from around the President, thereby cutting off essential
intelligence. The country eagerly anticipates who Dr. Bol Mel will install in this office next, as it would further confirm the speculation that Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel is effectively a co- President of the Republic of South Sudan.
