Kiir Dissolves South Sudan Government, Consolidating Power Before December Vote

Key points

• Kiir dissolved the transitional unity government, national and state assemblies, and local administrations via decree on September 22, 2026.
• The decree removed all vice-presidents, including Riek Machar, who remains under house arrest and on trial for treason and murder.
• Kiir will remain in office until the next elected president assumes office, with caretaker ministers appointed for key ministries.
• The move follows amendments to the National Elections Act that allow elections to proceed without a permanent constitution or census.
• Security forces were placed on high alert for three days, with checkpoints and road closures reported in Juba.

Background

South Sudan gained independence in 2011 but soon plunged into a five-year civil war that killed approximately 400,000 people and displaced millions. The 2018 peace deal established a power-sharing transitional government to halt the conflict and prepare for elections, initially expected in 2022 but postponed twice. The transition has been extended several times, with outstanding tasks including drafting a permanent constitution, registering voters, and unifying rival armed forces.

How outlets are covering it

Al Jazeera and Africanews emphasize that Kiir's decree raises concerns about unchecked power, with analysts warning that the legal changes give him 'unfettered control' and the ability to delay elections indefinitely. WRAL highlights the breadth of the dissolution, noting the removal of 10 state governments and three administrative areas, and quotes policy analyst Abraham Awolich calling the process a 'smoke screen for the consolidation of a dictatorship.' Radio Tamazuj focuses on the appointment of Gabriel Bol Deng Majok as the new National Elections Commission chairperson, who defended his neutrality despite ties to Kiir's community, arguing his performance should be judged by his actions rather than his origin. All sources agree that the move is a significant step toward the December 22 elections but raise concerns about the lack of preconditions and the potential for renewed conflict.

Why it matters

The dissolution of the transitional government and consolidation of power in Kiir's hands could undermine the credibility of South Sudan's first national elections and risk reigniting the civil war that killed hundreds of thousands. The lack of a permanent constitution, census, and voter registration, combined with the suspension of opposition leader Riek Machar, raises serious concerns about the fairness and inclusivity of the electoral process. International observers, including Amnesty International and the UN Commission on Human Rights, have warned that elections without safeguards and inclusive political dialogue could fuel renewed conflict and destabilize the region.

What to watch

The caretaker administration will oversee preparations for the December 22 elections, with the National Elections Commission having less than three months to complete voter registration and other preparations. Kiir is expected to be on the presidential ballot, while it remains unclear if Machar, under house arrest, will be a candidate. The international community is watching closely for signs of inclusive political dialogue and safeguards to ensure the elections are free, fair, and credible.