South Sudan’s President, Salva Kiir Mayardit, has officially dissolved the transitional government, just three months ahead of the general elections set for December 22, 2026.
On September 22, 2026, during a significant meeting with vice presidents, political party leaders, presidential advisers, ministers, and senior officials, Kiir made this important announcement.
This decision aligns with recent changes to South Sudan’s electoral laws, which have cleared the way for the upcoming elections.
“Today, September 22, 2026, I announce the dissolution of the Government in accordance with legal requirements for conducting elections,” Kiir stated.
He emphasized that this move reflects an agreement made by political leaders during a meeting on December 10, 2025, where they committed to avoiding further extensions of the transitional period and moving forward with elections.
“I appreciate your presence today, which demonstrates your dedication and support in advancing our country, as agreed in our December 10 meeting,” President Kiir expressed.
Political leaders present reaffirmed their commitment to the elections and agreed to engage in an Inter-Party Dialogue to tackle outstanding political and electoral issues before the vote.
Changes to Election Laws
The dissolution follows Kiir’s signing of amendments to the National Elections Act, 2012, on September 21, after Parliament approved the changes.
These amendments eliminate the requirement for elections to wait for the completion of the permanent constitution-making process and the national population census.
This legal framework allows the National Elections Commission to proceed with preparations for the December elections without unnecessary delays.
However, these amendments have faced opposition from various political groups. The main opposition coalition has expressed concerns regarding the electoral process.
The law also ensures that the current executive leadership remains in office during the election period, with the President retaining constitutional powers until a newly elected president takes over.
Kiir Defends Peace Deal
Kiir reassured both South Sudan and the international community that the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) remains intact.
He has consistently communicated this position in discussions with the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the African Union High-Level Ad Hoc Committee for South Sudan, known as the C5.
The President highlighted progress in key areas essential for the elections, including legal reforms, administrative preparations, logistics, security, and political dialogue.
Approximately 39 political parties have been registered by the Political Parties Council.
Regarding the National Elections Commission, Kiir noted that the electoral body now has a headquarters and offices in every state.
He added that civic education initiatives are underway, voter-registration centers have been evaluated nationwide, and voter registration is set to commence soon.
Three Months to Polls
This dissolution marks the kickoff of the final three-month countdown to South Sudan’s scheduled elections.
Since gaining independence in 2011, the country has yet to conduct a general election, with previous polls repeatedly postponed during the transitional period.
The upcoming vote on December 22, 2026, is expected to occur under the newly amended electoral framework, despite ongoing political disagreements and concerns regarding preparations.
The African Union Peace and Security Council recognized the government’s commitment to holding elections in December 2026 during its 1,264th meeting in August, as noted by Kiir.
The President expressed gratitude to the C5 leaders for their support of the electoral process and assured that preparations along the security pathway are ongoing to facilitate a peaceful election.
