Kiir Sacks South Sudan’s Chief Justice, Appoints Successor 

South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has dismissed the country’s long-serving Chief Justice, Chan Reec Madut, and his deputy, John Gatwech Lul, in a major shake-up of the judiciary.

The announcement was made via the state-run South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC), with no official reason given for the dismissals.

Madut, who was appointed Chief Justice in August 2011 shortly after South Sudan gained independence, will be replaced by Benjamin Bak Deng. Deng previously served as Director of Training and Research and was a sitting member of the Supreme Court.

Laku Trankilo Nyumbi, formerly Director of Judge’s Affairs and a member of the Judiciary Service Commission, has been appointed as the new deputy chief justice.

The changes come amid heightened political tension, including the continued house arrest of opposition leader and First Vice President Riek Machar, who has been detained since March 26.