South Sudan President Salva Kiir has dissolved the country’s transitional government, three months before elections that are scheduled to take place on December 22, 2026.
The announcement came hours after Kiir signed amendments to the country’s election law, removing requirements that a permanent constitution and national census must be completed before the elections can proceed.
The changes have triggered concerns among opposition groups and analysts, who question whether the revised legal framework provides sufficient safeguards for an inclusive electoral process.
Transitional government dissolved
Kiir announced the dissolution on Tuesday, September 22, in line with the timetable agreed by political leaders.
The move ends the current transitional government and comes as South Sudan prepares for its first general election since gaining independence from Sudan in 2011.
Under the new arrangements, Kiir is expected to remain in office during the electoral period until an elected president assumes power. The five vice presidents and other transitional institutions have been removed as part of the dissolution.
Kiir has maintained that the 2018 peace agreement remains the foundation for the country’s political transition.
Election law amended
The president signed amendments to the National Elections Act on Monday, shortly before dissolving the transitional government.
The amendments remove the previous requirement for the completion of a permanent constitution and a national census before elections can take place.
The government says the changes will allow the electoral authorities to proceed with preparations for the December vote.
However, opposition groups have challenged the changes, arguing that they were adopted without sufficient consultation with political parties that signed the 2018 peace agreement.
Concerns over election preparations
South Sudan has repeatedly postponed its elections since independence.
The current December 22 date follows earlier delays linked to incomplete implementation of the 2018 peace agreement.
The United Nations Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan recently warned that important safeguards for peaceful and credible elections remain incomplete. It also raised concerns about continuing violence, political restrictions and human rights violations.
The country’s electoral commission has been preparing for voter registration, while civic education and other electoral activities are also underway.
Security tightened in Juba
The political developments were accompanied by an increased security presence in the capital, Juba.
AFP reported seeing additional soldiers deployed along roads in the city. An Internal Security Bureau directive also instructed security forces to remain in uniform and on high alert for three days beginning September 22.
The heightened security comes against a backdrop of continuing tensions between supporters of Kiir and those aligned with his long-time political rival, Riek Machar.
Machar remains detained and faces serious charges, adding to concerns over the political environment ahead of the election.
Concerns about renewed conflict
South Sudan has a history of political and military conflict.
The country’s 2013-2018 civil war was fought largely between forces loyal to Kiir and Machar. Although the 2018 peace agreement created a power-sharing government, several major provisions have remained incomplete.
International observers and rights officials have warned that unresolved political and security disputes could complicate the electoral process.
With the December 22 election approaching, South Sudan now faces the challenge of conducting its first national vote while addressing disagreements over the legal framework, political participation and security.
