South Sudan president Salva Kiir dissolves government ahead of elections
Summary
South Sudan President Salva Kiir has dissolved the transitional government just three months before the country’s first elections since gaining independence in 2011. This significant move comes after previous delays in the electoral process, which have seen the transitional period extended multiple times, with the latest set to conclude in February 2027. Kiir, who is the presidential candidate for his Sudan People's Liberation Movement, removed five vice-presidents, dissolved parliament, and appointed ministers in caretaker roles ahead of the December elections. This decision was accompanied by a heavy security presence in the capital, Juba, where access to government ministries was restricted and soldiers patrolled the streets.
Analysis
Salva Kiir: Salva Kiir is the President of South Sudan and leader of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM). He has held the position since the country's independence and is now the party's presidential candidate for the upcoming December poll. In this development, he dissolved the transitional government, removed vice-presidents, and dissolved parliament and other bodies under amended law signed on Monday. Riek Machar: Riek Machar is the leader of the main opposition Sudan People's Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) and a longtime political rival to President Kiir. He was previously appointed vice-president under the 2018 peace deal to end the civil war but was sacked last year, charged with treason, and is currently under house arrest. His party has warned against participation in election preparations in areas it controls. South Sudan: South Sudan is a landlocked country in East Africa that gained independence from Sudan in 2011. It has experienced prolonged political instability, including a civil war that ended with a 2018 peace agreement. In the current news, its transitional government has been dissolved by the president ahead of the nation's first elections since independence. Gabriel Bol Deng: Gabriel Bol Deng is the newly appointed chairman of South Sudan's national elections commission, having previously served as its secretary-general. He was named as the replacement for the dismissed chairman. His appointment supports the ongoing preparations for the country's first post-independence elections. Abednego Akok Kacuol: Abednego Akok Kacuol previously served as chairman of South Sudan's national elections commission. He was dismissed without stated reason last week by President Kiir. His removal occurred shortly before the dissolution of the transitional government ahead of the December elections. Peace Agreement: The 2018 peace deal between Kiir and Machar ended a five-year civil war and included provisions for power-sharing during the transitional period. Election Timeline: The transitional period has been extended multiple times, with the latest extension set to conclude in February 2027, and elections now scheduled for December. Security Situation: Ahead of the announcement, heavy security forces were deployed in the capital Juba, with soldiers blocking access to government ministries and patrolling streets.
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macropolitics