What You Need to Know
South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has reinstated Tuut Galuak as his security advisor, two years after his dismissal. This strategic move aims to restore trust and balance within the government amid internal and regional pressures, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in Sudan and its impact on South Sudan’s stability and oil relations with neighboring countries.
Africa. Last week, South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit made significant changes to his government, including the reappointment of his former security advisor, General Tuut Galuak, nearly two years after his dismissal.
This move comes at a critical internal and regional juncture, as Galuak’s absence left a void that affected the government’s performance and its foreign relations, making his return a potential attempt to restore trust and rebalance the power structure.
Galuak’s dismissal was a result of political pressures from factions seeking to expand their influence within the government, yet they failed to fill the gap or manage the critical issues he oversaw.
During his previous tenure, he handled sensitive matters, notably the implementation of the 2018 peace agreement between the government and the armed opposition in Khartoum, a process that saw a significant decline during his absence, including the arrest of the First Vice President Riek Machar and several of his leaders, which reignited tensions and threatened the collapse of the agreement brokered with regional mediation and broad international support.
Galuak is considered one of the architects of the Juba peace agreement between the Sudanese government and armed movements in 2020, an achievement that granted South Sudan a prominent regional role as an active mediator in stability issues.
His extensive experience in Khartoum before the separation, where he was a political and security leader in the National Congress Party, underpins his ability to manage shared issues between the two countries, especially the complex and intertwined security and economic relations.
His absence coincided with a deterioration in relations between Juba and Khartoum, peaking with the halt of oil exports and mutual accusations, making his return today an attempt to reopen dialogue channels and revive his role as a primary communication conduit between the two capitals.
Political analyst John Lam believes that Galuak’s return transcends being merely an administrative decision; it is a politically significant step with clear regional implications, especially amid the ongoing war in Sudan and the intensifying competition among regional powers, particularly Gulf states interested in South Sudan’s oil.
He added that Galuak possesses a network of relationships extending between Khartoum and Juba and among conflicting leaders in Sudan, making him a “man of difficult balances and a bridge builder between the two countries.”
Lam points out that President Kiir relies on Galuak’s expertise to reopen closed channels with Khartoum and ensure the continued flow of oil, which the country economically depends on, while maintaining balanced relations with the Gulf.
However, he cautioned that Galuak’s intertwined relationships may raise sensitivities in Khartoum if his movements are interpreted as leaning toward one side of the conflict, considering his return a revival of the delicate balance that has characterized Juba’s policy since the establishment of the state.
Observers in Juba confirm that Galuak’s dismissal two years ago was not isolated from the power struggles within the government and the ruling party, where calls emerged to distance figures associated with Islamists or the National Congress Party.
Complicated issues within the presidency and security apparatuses have also fueled this conflict, leading to his exclusion despite his close relationship with President Kiir.
Yet, the failure of his successors to manage sensitive issues prompted the leadership to reconsider the decision, finding in his return a practical option to restore balance and revive stalled matters.
Stephen Lawal Ngor, a member of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly’s Foreign Relations Committee, stated that “the reappointment of Tuut Galuak as security advisor is a strategic decision that enhances the state’s ability to unify decision-making at this critical time.”
He added that “his competence in managing negotiation files and creating de-escalation pathways was clearly demonstrated in the Juba peace agreement, making his return a renewal of political leadership’s trust in its national tools.”
Despite his extensive experience, Galuak faces significant challenges amid the escalating war in Sudan, as some circles believe his previous ties with Islamists may affect his neutrality. These concerns coincide with rising accusations regarding Juba’s covert support for the Rapid Support Forces, increasing pressure on him.
The success of his mission requires careful management of these concerns, maintaining President Kiir’s trust, and leveraging his network of relationships with Khartoum to avoid any escalation that could harm political and economic stability.
Thus, Galuak’s return comes at a pivotal moment as an attempt to restore internal and external balance for Juba, enhancing South Sudan’s capacity to manage sensitive issues intersecting national and regional interests, including security, economy, and oil relations with Khartoum and Gulf states.
As political and regional circles await his next steps, the security and political file in South Sudan remains tied to his ability to reconcile local pressures and regional challenges, ensuring continued relative stability and achieving peace objectives.
Tuut Galuak has played a significant role in South Sudan’s political landscape, particularly in the peace agreements between the government and armed opposition. His previous tenure was marked by efforts to stabilize relations with Sudan, especially regarding oil exports. His absence created a vacuum that affected both internal governance and external diplomatic relations, leading to increased tensions with Sudan.
The political dynamics in South Sudan have been complex, with various factions vying for power and influence. Galuak’s return is seen as an attempt to mend the fractures within the government and re-establish crucial communication channels with Sudan, especially as the region grap
