South Sudan president dissolves transitional government ahead of long-delayed elections

JUBA, South Sudan (AP) — South Sudan President Salva Kiir has dissolved his transitional government, removing his deputies and introducing a caretaker administration just before elections scheduled for Dec 22. The decision was announced via state television on Tuesday night. The dissolution also affected the national legislature, the country's 10 state governments and their assemblies, along with authorities in three administrative regions.

Kiir will retain his presidency throughout the electoral period until a new president is sworn in. He has appointed caretaker ministers to manage key ministries, including foreign affairs, defense, cabinet affairs, interior, justice, national security, finance, petroleum, information, and peace building.

The transitional government's end was part of the roadmap leading to the elections, which have been postponed multiple times due to the prolonged transitional period following the end of the civil war in 2018. Kiir's actions have been criticized by some observers for alarming them and raising concerns about the upcoming democratic process. In previous actions, Kiir has dismissed key officials, such as the chairperson of the National Elections Commission without providing a public reason.

In September, Kiir suspended Riek Machar as South Sudan's first vice president after criminal charges of treason were filed against him for his alleged role in an attack on government troops. Machar is currently under house arrest and denies the charges. Kiir is expected to be on the presidential ballot, but it is unclear if Machar, who remains under house arrest, would be a candidate.

Amnesty International praised the dissolution of the transitional government as a significant step toward South Sudan's first elections but urged authorities to protect human rights and ensure free and fair elections. They called for the safeguarding of freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly, as well as an end to the intimidation of journalists, civil society actors, and political opponents.