South Sudan Moves Toward First National Elections as Kiir Dissolves Government.

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has dissolved the country’s transitional unity government and appointed a caretaker administration as preparations begin for the country’s first national elections.

The presidential decree, announced on Tuesday, ended the power-sharing arrangement established under the 2018 peace agreement that brought an end to years of civil war.

Under the decree, all vice presidents, ministers and local administrators were removed from office, while the national and state assemblies were also dissolved. The judiciary and security institutions will remain in place.

President Kiir will remain in office during the election period until a new elected president assumes power.

The move followed parliament’s approval of amendments to the National Elections Act, allowing Kiir to remain president throughout the election period while removing the vice presidents appointed under the 2018 peace deal.

The changes clear the way for elections scheduled for December 22, even though the country has yet to complete a permanent constitution and a national census.

South Sudan’s main opposition alliance has rejected the changes, while analysts have raised concerns that the new arrangement could give Kiir extensive executive powers.

The elections were initially scheduled for 2022 but have been postponed twice.

Several key provisions of the 2018 peace agreement remain incomplete, including drafting a permanent constitution, registering voters and unifying armed forces loyal to rival political factions.

The peace agreement followed a five-year civil war that killed about 400,000 people and displaced millions, according to the United Nations.

President Kiir’s longtime rival and First Vice President Riek Machar, leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO), remains under house arrest and is facing trial on charges including treason and murder, which he denies.

Meanwhile, security has been tightened in the capital, Juba, with checkpoints and road closures reported around the government complex. Security personnel have also been placed on heightened alert as the country moves towards the planned elections.

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