South Sudan’s President Dissolves Government to Clear Path for Historic Elections Amid Power Concerns

Published On 23 Sep 202623 Sep 2026

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has dissolved the country’s transitional unity government and appointed a caretaker administration as the nation prepares for its first-ever national elections.

The decree, announced Tuesday through the national broadcaster, terminated a power-sharing arrangement established under a 2018 peace agreement that ended years of civil conflict. This move has sparked concerns that Kiir may now consolidate power without the checks and balances previously in place.

According to the decree, all vice-presidents, ministers, and local administrators have been removed, and both national and state assemblies have been dissolved. However, the judiciary and security institutions remain operational, with Kiir expected to remain in office throughout the electoral period until a newly elected president assumes duty.

The dissolution follows parliamentary approval of amendments to the National Elections Act, which permit Kiir to maintain authority during the election period while eliminating the positions of vice presidents appointed under the 2018 peace agreement. These changes enable South Sudan to proceed with elections scheduled for December 22 without completing key transitional requirements such as drafting a permanent constitution and conducting a national census.

The principal opposition alliance has publicly rejected these legal modifications.

Elections were originally anticipated in 2022 but have been delayed twice, creating uncertainty about the country’s democratic trajectory.

Several critical tasks outlined in the 2018 peace agreement remain incomplete, including the drafting of a permanent constitution, voter registration processes, and the unification of armed forces loyal to different factions.

The agreement concluded five years of civil war that resulted in approximately 400,000 deaths and millions of displaced persons, according to United Nations estimates.

Amnesty International acknowledged the decree as a “decisive step” toward holding South Sudan’s inaugural elections. However, Tigere Chagutah, the organization’s regional director for East and Southern Africa, emphasized the need for authorities to “ensure that a conducive environment exists for people to vote and stand in elections.”

Political analysts have expressed concern over the expanded powers granted to the presidency. Michael Wani, a lawyer and former member of the constitution drafting committee, told AFP: “Kiir will be the only person in power, without vice-presidents, without the executive, without the parliament.”

Independent analyst Machot Amuom highlighted significant ambiguity in the legal framework, stating: “The new law gives the president full powers… He can decide even not to go for elections for another year or another two years.”

In a separate development, President Kiir recently replaced the head of the elections commission without providing an official rationale. The South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation reported that Gabriel Bol Deng Majok has received a “fresh mandate” to oversee electoral preparations.

These developments occur against the backdrop of Kiir’s longtime political opponent, Riek Machar, remaining under house arrest while facing trial on charges including treason and murder—charges he denies. Machar leads the opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO).

The electoral transition continues under heightened security measures, with AFP reporting checkpoints and road closures around the government complex in the capital, Juba, alongside directives for security personnel to maintain elevated alert status for three days.

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