South Sudan's President fires entire cabinet

PanARMENIAN.Net - South Sudan's president has sacked his entire cabinet, in an apparent power struggle with other senior leaders, BBC News reported.

Salva Kiir issued a decree dismissing all ministers and deputy ministers, as well as Vice-President Riek Machar.

No clear reason was given for the sackings, but analysts say Kiir and Machar have been embroiled in a power struggle for months.

South Sudan has suffered from chronic economic problems since it split from Sudan in 2011. Its stability has been hampered by lingering rows over territory and oil with its northern neighbour.

Recently some of Kiir's colleagues have hinted at discontent with his leadership. Local reports say Kiir is battling to maintain control of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), the former rebel group that now runs the country.

Machar, who had been stripped of some of his powers in April, had hinted that he may stand against Kiir for leadership of the SPLM before the next presidential election in 2015.