On September 22, 2026, South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit announced the dissolution of the transitional unity government established under the 2018 peace agreement. This move includes the removal of First Vice-President Riek Machar and all four Vice-Presidents from office. Kiir appointed a caretaker administration to oversee the country until the general elections scheduled for December 22, 2026. The changes were announced in a Republican Order issued by Kiir and read on state-owned South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC).
According to the Republican Order, Kiir will remain president throughout the electoral period until a newly elected president is sworn in. The First Vice-President and all Vice-Presidents have been relieved of their positions with immediate effect. Presidential advisers and presidential envoys will continue to serve under the authority of the president. Kiir also appointed former speaker of parliament Joseph Ngere Paciko as adviser on governance.
The order relieves all substantive National Ministers and Deputy Ministers of their portfolio duties, directing ministries and other government institutions to continue operating under an interim or caretaker structure. Caretaker ministers have been appointed to oversee key ministries, including presidential affairs, cabinet affairs, foreign affairs, defence, interior, justice, national security, finance, petroleum, trade, information, East African Community affairs, and peacebuilding.
The Transitional National Legislative Assembly and the Council of States have been dissolved, as well as the 10 state governments and state legislative assemblies. The administrations and legislative councils of the three administrative areas have also been dissolved. Caretaker governors have been appointed for the 10 states, including Agustino Wani Jadallah for Central Equatoria and Louis Lobong Lojore for Eastern Equatoria.
At the county level, all county commissioners have been relieved of their political and policy duties pending the appointment of interim commissioners. The order places restrictions on caretaker officials, including a prohibition on entering into long-term international agreements, incurring substantial public debt, entering strategic concession agreements, or disposing of public assets without presidential authorisation and compliance with the law.
The caretaker arrangement is to remain in force until the elected president, national legislature, and elected state, administrative-area and local authorities assume office, unless the order is amended or revoked. The dissolution comes a day after Kiir signed amendments to the election law, removing legal obstacles that had previously linked the conduct of elections to the permanent constitution-making process and a national population census.
The National Elections Commission has set December 22, 2026, as the date for the general elections. The commission, independent commissions, organised forces, the judiciary, civil service, and other institutions whose continued operation is required by law will remain functional during the caretaker period. Officials serving during this period are required to remain politically neutral and not use public office, government resources, or state institutions to promote or disadvantage political parties or candidates.
Key points
- President Salva Kiir has dissolved the transitional unity government and appointed a caretaker administration ahead of elections scheduled for December 22, 2026.
- The caretaker administration will oversee key ministries and state governments until the general elections.
- The dissolution of the government and appointment of caretaker officials aim to ensure a smooth transition of power and maintain stability during the electoral period.
