South Sudan Dissolves Government and Installs Caretaker Administration Ahead of Historic National Elections

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has dissolved the country’s transitional unity government and established a caretaker administration in a major move leading up to the nation's first-ever national elections.

Announced via a decree on Tuesday, the decision effectively dissolves the power-sharing arrangement established under the 2018 peace deal that had previously ended years of civil war. The decree, broadcast on the national broadcaster, confirmed the removal of all vice-presidents, ministers, and local administrators, alongside the dissolution of both national and state assemblies. However, the judiciary and security institutions remain active, and President Salva Kiir will maintain his position through the election period until a successor assumes office.

This development follows parliamentary approval of amendments to the National Elections Act, which permits President Salva Kiir to retain power while eliminating the vice-presidential roles created by the 2018 accord. Consequently, South Sudan is positioned to advance toward the scheduled December 22 elections without first finalizing a permanent constitution or conducting a census. Despite these steps, the main opposition alliance has strongly rejected the legislative changes.

Elections were initially anticipated in 2022 before facing two separate postponements. Outstanding commitments from the 2018 peace agreement still include voter registration, the drafting of a permanent constitution, and the unification of armed forces associated with rival factions. The prior conflict resulted in approximately 400,000 deaths and widespread displacement, according to United Nations figures.

Amnesty International described the decree by President Salva Kiir as a critical step toward the upcoming polls. Nevertheless, Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s regional director for East and Southern Africa, emphasized the necessity of establishing a secure and open environment for citizens to vote and participate.

Meanwhile, legal experts and analysts have expressed concern that the modifications grant excessive authority to President Salva Kiir. Michael Wani, a lawyer and former member of the constitution drafting committee, noted that the executive and parliament have been removed from the immediate power structure. Independent analyst Machot Amuom highlighted potential legal ambiguities, suggesting the new framework could allow further delays to the electoral timeline.

In related developments, President Salva Kiir recently replaced the head of the elections commission, appointing Gabriel Bol Deng Majok to lead poll preparations via the South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC). These administrative shifts occur while opposition leader Riek Machar, head of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO), remains under house arrest facing trial on charges that include treason and murder, which he denies. Security measures in Juba have also been intensified with heightened alerts, road closures, and military checkpoints established around government zones.