South Sudan’s president sacks ministers and a governor

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has dismissed two ministers and the state governor of Warrap state in the north.

Mr Kiir dismissed the presidential affairs minister, Barnaba Marial Benjamin, as well as the minister of trade, Kuol Athian, in a decree read on state TV on Monday night.

He also removed the public service minister, Bangasi Joseph Bakosoro, and made him the minister for presidential affairs.

No reason was given for the dismissals, but they follow the recent sacking of several security officials – including the police chief – over rumours of a coup.

The sackings also come as the country is preparing to conduct its first democratic election since becoming independent in July 2011.

The elections are scheduled for December next year, but no date has been fixed.