Oil-Rich South Sudan’s President Fires His Deputy

South Sudan President Salva Kiir dismissed Vice President Benjamin Bol Mel, who had been seen as a potential future leader of the oil-producing nation.

The president also removed Bol as deputy leader of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement and demoted his rank in the security services from general to private, according to a decree read on the state-owned South Sudan Broadcasting Corp. on Wednesday. No reason was given and no replacement was announced.