South Sudan Braces for Government Dissolution as Kiir Set to Retain Powers Ahead of December Elections
South Sudan is heading into a potentially historic political transition on Monday, September 22, as the country approaches the three-month countdown to general elections scheduled for December 22, 2026. Under the country's current electoral roadmap, the national and state governments are expected to face dissolution as South Sudan moves from its prolonged transitional administration into the election period. Section 15(2) of the National Elections Act has been cited as requiring dissolution of the national legislature, state assemblies, national government and state governments within three months of the election date. The anticipated changes could dramatically reshape the government that has administered the world's youngest nation under the power-sharing arrangements established following the 2018 peace agreement. Five Vice Presidents Face Exit as Electoral Transition Begins One of the most consequential proposed changes concerns South Sudan's five vice-presidential positions. Amendments to the National Elections Act tabled before the Transitional National Legislative Assembly provide that the incumbent president would remain in office with constitutional powers during the election period, while the president would be required to relieve the First Vice President and the other vice presidents within three months of polling day. The amendments were introduced by Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Wek Mamer Kuol as the government seeks to align the country's electoral legislation with the Transitional Constitution ahead of the polls. South Sudanese lawmaker Stephen Ajongo Akol said on Sunday that lawmakers expected to complete consideration of the election bill before the September 22 transition. He said the proposed arrangements would leave President Salva Kiir Mayardit in office while the five vice presidents leave their positions. However, some aspects of the transition remain subject to the completion of the legislative process and presidential action, meaning the precise composition of the caretaker administration will become clearer once the changes are formally implemented. Kiir Expected to Remain in Charge President Kiir is expected to remain in office throughout the election period with the powers vested in the presidency under the Constitution. The proposed election amendments specifically provide for the incumbent president to remain in office during the election period. Parliamentary officials have said this arrangement is intended to provide continuity as South Sudan prepares for its December vote. Kiir is also the leader of the ruling Sudan People's Liberation Movement, SPLM, which is preparing to participate in the December elections. The transition would therefore leave the presidency at the centre of executive authority during the countdown to polling day, although the exact structure of the caretaker government will depend on the final legislation and presidential decisions. Parliament Set for Major Restructuring South Sudan's legislature is also facing a major transformation. The proposed electoral framework provides for a 332-member elected National Legislative Assembly , replacing the much larger transitional legislature created under the country's power-sharing arrangements. Under the proposed formula, 50 percent of the 332 seats would be allocated to geographical constituencies, 35 percent to women and 15 percent through political party lists. The National Elections Commission has already declared 102 geographical constituencies based on constituencies used during the 2010 elections. The commission said the decision followed the parties' move to delink the December elections from completion of a new population census and permanent constitution. The shift means South Sudan could move away from a legislature heavily shaped by appointments under transitional political agreements toward a smaller parliament constituted through the electoral process. Elections to Proceed Without New Census or Permanent Constitution Another major obstacle to the December elections was removed earlier this month. On September 2, President Kiir signed Constitutional Amendment No. 13 , formally separating the conduct of elections from completion of South Sudan's permanent constitution-making process and population and housing census. For years, both processes had been regarded as important components of South Sudan's political transition. The amendment means the country can legally proceed toward the scheduled December 22 elections without first completing a new census or permanent constitution. The National Elections Commission currently lists December 22, 2026 as the date for the elections. 2010 Constituencies Return South Sudan will consequently rely on geographical constituencies derived from the country's previous electoral arrangements rather than constituencies drawn from a new population census. The NEC has announced 102 geographical constituencies covering South Sudan's ten states and three administrative areas for purposes of the forthcoming elections. The arrangement is one of the most significant changes in the preparations for an election intended to bring the extended transitional period closer to an end. Questions Remain Over September 22 Transition Despite expectations surrounding September 22, the precise legal consequences remain a matter of debate. The 2018 Revitalized Agreement states that the mandate of the transitional unity government runs for the duration of the transitional period until elections are held, while provisions of the Elections Act contemplate dissolution three months before polling day. This has raised questions about how the two frameworks will operate together during the election period. Government spokesperson Ateny Wek Ateny had also indicated earlier this month that dissolution might occur later than September 22, while lawmaker Stephen Ajongo Akol said on Sunday that it could happen on September 22. That makes the formal presidential action particularly important. If the dissolution proceeds as anticipated, South Sudan will enter a fundamentally different phase of its political transition, with the existing power-sharing structures giving way to arrangements intended to carry the country through to the December elections. For millions of South Sudanese, September 22 could therefore mark much more than another date on the political calendar. It could mark the beginning of the final countdown toward a national election that has been repeatedly postponed during the country's long transitional period.