South Sudan President Salva Kiir has sacked the East African nation's speaker and ​deputy speaker of parliament, according to ‌a decree read out in the parliament on Tuesday.

• Tulio Odongi Ayahu, chief whip of Kiir's ruling Sudan People's ​Liberation Movement (SPLM), announced the decree removing ​Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba and her deputy, ⁠Permena Awerial Aluong, from their posts in ​the Transitional National Legislative Assembly.
• The move follows a ​petition last week by SPLM caucus members accusing Kumba of corruption linked to the alleged mismanagement of parliamentary ​funds and calling for her removal.
• Kumba, who ​made history in 2021 as the first woman to serve ‌as ⁠speaker of South Sudan's parliament, has not responded to the allegations.
• Kiir appointed Joseph Ngere Paciko and Abuk Paiti Ayiik as the new speaker ​and deputy ​speaker, respectively.
• The ⁠sackings come after Kiir in late February abruptly fired the then Finance ​Minister Bak Barnaba Chol, who had ​been ⁠in office for just three months, without giving a reason.
• Analysts say Kiir frequently reshuffles senior political and ⁠military ​posts to maintain his grip ​on power amid persistent instability and speculation over his eventual ​succession.