President Salva Kiir on Friday removed two deputies to the Secretary General of the Sudan People`s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and appointed their replacements.

In a decree read on state-run media, Kiir, who doubles as the chairperson of the ruling SPLM party revoked the appointment of Akol Paul Kordit as the party’s First Deputy Secretary General for Political Affairs and Mobilization, and Tulio Odongi as Second Deputy Secretary General for Administration and Finance.

He then appointed Dr Banjamin Bol Mel as the First Deputy Secretary General for Political Affairs and Mobilization and Mary Apai Ayiga as the Second Deputy Secretary General for Administration and Finance.

No reason was given for the changes.

The removed party officials were appointed in December 2022 after the SPLM meeting in Juba.

In another decree, Kiir appointed 16 additional members to the SPLM National Liberation Council (NLC).

They include Kuol Atem Bol, Bol Makueng Yol, Santo Malek Anei, Mary Paul Ngundeng, Jacinto Pokon Genye, James Deng Wal, Joseph Bangasi Bakasoro, Thiik Salva Kiir Mayardit, Angasio Akol Tong and Kawac Kao Madol.

Others are Stephen Ajongo Unguech, Moses Majok Gatluak, Bishop John Jok Chuol, Thomas Dut Gatkek, Nyalok James Tiong and James Gatwech Bichok.

President Kiir, who has been in office for over a decade, was endorsed by the party to run for president in elections due to be conducted in about two years.

In August last year, President Kiir and the other parties to the 2018 peace agreement announced the extension of the transitional government for another two years, meaning general elections would be held in December 2024.