South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit has dismissed the head of the country’s internal intelligence agency and announced a compulsory national prayer gathering for senior government officials.

In presidential decrees read on state television on Thursday night, Gen. Charles Chiec Mayor was removed as Director General of the Internal Security Bureau (ISB) of the National Security Service (NSS). He was replaced by Gen. Mawien Mawien Ariik, also known as Mawien Magol, who was promoted from the rank of major general.

Gen. Mawien, a native of Warrap State, is relatively unknown to the public. No official explanation was given for Gen. Chiec’s removal, which comes just ten months after his appointment.

The decision follows a broader reshuffle of political and security leadership, including the dismissal last month of Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel from the vice presidency.

In a separate decree, President Kiir also relieved several senior officials of their duties. Those dismissed include Engineer Caesar Oliha Marko, undersecretary in the Ministry of Transport; Dr. Santino Mathiok, undersecretary in the Ministry of Mining; John Woja Elinana, Director General of the South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority; Prof. Robert Mayom Deng, Vice Chancellor of the University of Juba; and John Daniel Kipa, Commissioner of the Financial Intelligence Unit of the NSS.

They were replaced by Paul Dhel Gum as undersecretary in the Ministry of Transport; Deng Makuok as undersecretary in the Ministry of Mining; Engineer Ayiei Garang Deng Ayiei as Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority; Prof. John Akec Apurout, who was reappointed as Vice Chancellor of the University of Juba; and Bona Ngong Nguen as Commissioner of the Financial Intelligence Unit.

Separately, President Kiir declared the establishment of an annual National Prayer Breakfast, with the inaugural event scheduled for Saturday at the Presidency in Juba. Attendance has been made mandatory for top leaders, including vice presidents, ministers, senior military commanders, governors, lawmakers and members of the judiciary.

According to the presidency, the event will run from 7:30 a.m. to noon and is intended to seek divine guidance, promote national unity and encourage leaders to recommit to shared values.

“It is a solemn occasion for the entire leadership to unite in spirit,” President Kiir said in the announcement.

Civil society activist Edmund Yakani welcomed the initiative, describing it as timely amid the country’s political and social challenges. Yakani, executive director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization, said the country needs forgiveness, reconciliation and healing after years of conflict.

The announcements come a day after the presidency approved wide-ranging amendments to the 2018 peace agreement, clearing the way for elections scheduled for December 2026.