President sacks vice presidents, ministers, others
President sacks vice presidents, ministers, others
President Salva Kiir of South Sudan has dissolved the country’s Transitional Government of National Unity and appointed a caretaker administration ahead of the general elections scheduled for December 22, 2026.
The sweeping changes, announced on Tuesday, September 22, came after Kii signed amendments to the country’s electoral law aimed at removing legal obstacles that had stood in the way of the long-delayed polls. The dissolution formally brings the transitional power-sharing arrangement established under the 2018 peace agreement to an end. Blueprint reports
Kiir removes vice-presidents, ministers
Under the presidential order, First Vice-President Riek Machar and the country’s four other vice-presidents were removed from office with immediate effect, alongside national ministers and deputy ministers.
The order also dissolved the Transitional National Legislative Assembly and the Council of States, effectively ending the current transitional legislative structure.
At the sub-national level, the governments and legislative assemblies of South Sudan’s 10 states were also dissolved, alongside the administrations of three administrative areas.
Kiir, however, remains president during the electoral period and is to continue in office until a newly elected president is sworn in.
Caretaker administration appointed
To prevent an administrative vacuum following the dissolution, Kiir appointed caretaker officials to oversee the running of government during the electoral period.
The caretaker administration includes officials assigned to key portfolios such as presidential affairs, cabinet affairs, foreign affairs, defence, interior, justice, national security, finance, petroleum, trade, information and peacebuilding.
Caretaker governors were also appointed for the country’s 10 states, while chief administrators were named for the three administrative areas.
The presidential order directed the caretaker administration to maintain essential government services and ensure continuity until elected officials assume office.
Elections scheduled for December 22
The dissolution comes three months before South Sudan’s scheduled general elections on December 22.
The elections are intended to mark the end of a prolonged transitional period that followed the 2018 peace agreement between Kiir’s government and forces aligned with his longtime rival, Riek Machar.
The elections were initially expected to take place in 2022 but were postponed as the parties struggled to implement key provisions of the peace agreement. The transitional period was subsequently extended, with outstanding issues including constitutional reforms, voter registration and the unification of rival armed forces.
Electoral law amended
Kiir’s decision followed amendments to the National Elections Act, which were signed into law shortly before the dissolution.
The amendments removed previous legal requirements that had tied the holding of elections to the completion of a permanent constitution and a national population census.
The changes have therefore cleared a significant legal hurdle for the December polls and enabled the country to move into the electoral phase without completing those outstanding processes.
The country’s National Elections Commission has set December 22 as the date for the general elections.
Opposition raises concerns
The transition has, however, continued to attract concern from opposition figures and civil society groups.
South Sudan’s main opposition alliance has rejected the latest changes, while analysts cited by international media have raised questions about the concentration of executive authority during the electoral period.
The concerns have been linked particularly to the removal of the vice-presidents and dissolution of parliament, which were key components of the power-sharing structure created by the 2018 peace agreement.
Machar, who served as first vice-president under the transitional arrangement, remains under house arrest and is facing trial on charges including treason and murder, allegations he denies. His political position and that of his opposition movement remain central to the country’s fragile political transition.
Government institutions to continue functioning
Despite the sweeping political changes, the presidential order did not bring the entire state machinery to a halt.
The judiciary, civil service, security institutions, independent commissions and other bodies required by law to continue operating remain functional under the caretaker arrangement.
The order also placed restrictions on caretaker officials, including limitations on entering major long-term agreements, taking on substantial public debt or disposing of public assets without the required authorisation.
South Sudan enters new political phase
The dissolution marks a major transition for South Sudan, which became independent from Sudan in 2011 but has struggled with political instability and conflict since independence.
The 2018 peace agreement established a power-sharing government between Kiir and Machar after years of civil war that caused widespread displacement and a major humanitarian crisis.
The December election is therefore expected to be an important test of the country’s ability to move from the prolonged transitional arrangement towards an elected government.
For now, the caretaker administration will oversee government affairs while preparations continue for the December 22 polls, with Kiir remaining president until the outcome of the electoral process produces a new elected president.
