South Sudan President Salva Kiir has promoted Vice President Benjamin Bol Mel from Lieutenant General to full General in the Internal Bureau of the National Security Service (NSS).
The promotion was confirmed during a ceremony at the presidential palace in Juba.
It places Bol Mel, 47, among a small group of top military figures, including the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Inspector General of Police (IGP), and the Directors General of Prisons, Wildlife Services, the Internal Security Bureau (ISB) and the General Security Bureau (GSB).
This is Mel’s third major promotion in less than a year, a rapid rise that has fuelled speculation over his increasing influence and possible position as Kiir’s preferred successor.
In February, he was appointed Vice President and head of the government’s economic cluster, replacing veteran politician Dr. James Wani Igga.
Three months later, Mel was named First Deputy Chairman of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) party.
Following his latest promotion, Bol Mel has taken to X (formerly Twitter) to express gratitude to President Kiir.
“I wish to extend my deepest gratitude to H.E. the President and the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces and Organized Forces of the Republic of South Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit, for the honour of promoting me to the rank of General in the National Security Service,” he said.
He pledged to remain loyal and committed to both security and development.
“As I take up this role, I stand devoted to the ethos of loyalty, discipline, and service above self, as expected of me by H.E. the President, my colleagues, and all citizens,” he said. “At the same time, in my role as Vice President and Chairperson of the Economic Cluster, I will ensure that our security institutions and operations support sustainable economic growth in the country.”
Bol Mel added that the ultimate goal of the NSS should be to give South Sudanese confidence in a peaceful and prosperous future.
“The true measure of our work in the NSS will be the confidence of every South Sudanese to live in peace and raise their children in a nation of progress and opportunity.”
Bol Mel’s promotion caps a year of swift advancement within South Sudan’s security and political structures.
Having already secured two major elevations earlier this year, his steady climb has been closely watched by observers.
With growing speculation that President Kiir is preparing him as a potential successor, Bol Mel’s role in both security and the economy positions him as one of the most influential figures in the country today.
The development comes as South Sudan navigates an uncertain political landscape, with the 2018 peace deal still far from fully realised.
The agreement, intended to end years of conflict, established a power-sharing government but key reforms remain stalled. Slow progress on a permanent constitution and election preparations has stirred growing discontent among the public and opposition groups.
Tensions escalated earlier this year with the detention of First Vice President Riek Machar. Once viewed as President Salva Kiir’s chief rival, Machar now faces charges of treason and other offences, claims his allies dismiss as politically driven. His arrest has raised fresh doubts about the government’s commitment to inclusivity and reconciliation.
National elections, initially scheduled for 2024, have been pushed back to 2026. Officials argue the delay allows for proper arrangements, but critics see it as an attempt to extend the transitional period and sideline opponents.
The decision has fuelled mistrust and heightened fears of exclusion from the political process.
Meanwhile, violence persists in regions such as Upper Nile, where clashes between government troops, militias and community defence groups have uprooted thousands.
The continuing insecurity underlines the fragility of peace efforts and leaves civilians facing daily uncertainty.
South Sudan’s economic woes add to the crisis. Critics say rampant inflation, corruption and overreliance on oil revenues have eroded state capacity, leaving many citizens reliant on humanitarian assistance for survival.