No reasons were given for the firing of Elizabeth Acuei Yol.

She is the first cabinet minister from the party of the First Vice-President Riek Machar, the Sudan People’s Liberation in Opposition (SPLM-IO), to be dismissed from the unity government.

President Kiir and Mr Machar formed the unity government in February 2020 after sealing a peace deal aimed at ending six years of civil war.

During her tenure, Ms Acuei was praised by health partners for the country's response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

But she also faced criticisms for her handling of the ministry's affairs, which saw her booed by MPs in December during a presentation in parliament.

The MPs urged Mr Machar to recommend for her dismissal over what they described as incompetence.