South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has removed Police Chief Majak Akec Malok just two days after his government dismissed allegations of an attempted coup.
President Kiir, returning from the Saudi-Africa Summit, replaced Malok with former immigration head Atem Marol Biar.
The sudden change follows swirling rumors of a plot against Kiir’s leadership, although the South Sudan Defence Forces publicly refuted the coup speculation.
The presidential decree, issued on Tuesday, did not provide reasons for Malok’s dismissal. Malok, who had served as Inspector General of Police since 2018, previously held the position before, having been reappointed after the peace agreement between Kiir and armed factions. While the official stance denies coup rumors, sources suggest a potential broader purge targeting senior security officials within the government.
President Kiir has been at the helm of South Sudan since 2005, initially succeeding John Garang after his tragic helicopter crash. Under Kiir’s leadership, South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011 but was soon engulfed in conflict in 2013.