By PaanluelWel

In a ceremony cloaked in liberation nostalgia and rhetorical appeals to unity, President Kiir on May 22 appointed Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel Kuol Akol as First Deputy Chairperson of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), effectively anointing him as his political heir.

While the ceremony, held at the SPLM House, paid homage to the sacrifices of past revolutionaries, its subtext could not be clearer: The Crown Prince now second in command of the party is not just a close President Kiir ally, but a figure formally designated by the U.S. Treasury under the Global Magnitsky Act for misappropriating public resources and perpetuating a kleptocratic network through his conglomerate ABMC Thai-South Sudan and related firms.

Nonetheless, the appointment of Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel as the First Deputy Chairperson of the SPLM signals a generational shift and potentially sets the stage for a new chapter in the country’s leadership. Dr. Bol Mel’s ascent is not merely symbolic. In the hierarchy of the SPLM, the ruling party that has governed South Sudan since independence, being named First Deputy Chairperson is tantamount to becoming the president-in-waiting.

“Today,” President Kiir said, “we turn a new page in our journey.” Emphasizing unity, national identity, and the legacy of struggle, the President described the SPLM not as a personal or tribal project, but as “a movement of sacrifices, struggles and hopes… built in the bush in the hearts of freedom fighters and in the dreams of our people.”

Dr. Bol Mel’s appointment, alongside Mary Apai as Second Deputy Chairperson and Simon Kun Puoch as Third Deputy Chairperson, represents the elevation of a new generation of SPLM leadership. Kiir was explicit that this transition was not about rewarding loyalty, but about assuming responsibility. “Your appointment is not a reward: it’s a responsibility,” he told the new deputies. “You have been chosen to serve; not to rule.”

The elevation of Dr. Bol Mel is widely seen as politically significant. As First Deputy Chairperson, he becomes the highest-ranking party figure after President Kiir himself, an office traditionally viewed as a direct pathway to national leadership. The role places him in a powerful position to influence both party direction and the future political trajectory of South Sudan.

Dr. Bol Mel is a seasoned businessman and political figure whose background has made him both a subject of scrutiny and a symbol of resilience. He has long been a key ally of President Kiir and has played a substantial role in the country’s postwar reconstruction through infrastructure and oil ventures. His leadership comes at a time when South Sudan continues to face challenges of economic reform, public accountability, and institutional development.

While questions have been raised internationally about Dr. Bol Mel’s past business dealings, including U.S. sanctions related to allegations of corruption, his appointment within the SPLM is being interpreted by many in Juba as an internal assertion of political continuity and strategic stability. For supporters, his experience in managing complex financial operations and navigating political networks may be viewed as assets in guiding the SPLM through a critical period of state-building.

President Kiir acknowledged the stakes of this moment. “Transitions can be difficult, change can bring divisions,” he said, urging the party and the nation to resist fragmentation and stay focused on service and unity. “We are not in competition with each other. We are in service of our people.”

The President also addressed the broader youth population, calling on them to take responsibility for the country’s future. “The future of this party and this country is in your hands,” he declared. “Rise to the occasion, learn from the past; respect those who came before you and be ready to carry the flag forward.”

As South Sudan looks ahead to possible elections and continued implementation of the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement, the internal dynamics of the SPLM will have far-reaching implications. The party remains the central force in South Sudanese politics, and its internal appointments carry both symbolic weight and practical influence over national direction.

The naming of Dr. Bol Mel to this position, despite international criticism, is a reflection of domestic political calculations and long-standing alliances. Whether his leadership will help steer the SPLM toward reform, stability, and broader legitimacy remains to be seen. But in the words of President Kiir, “Let us move forward, not as individuals, not as tribes, but as one nation under one flag with one future.”

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