Story perspectives

Kiir dissolves unity government, amends election law ahead vote

By Drooid · Sep 23, 2026, 6:17 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Kiir Dissolves Government

President Salva Kiir dissolved the transitional unity government on September 22, 2026.
Kiir signed amendments to the National Elections Act removing the need for a permanent constitution and census before elections.
The law forces the first vice president and four vice presidents to vacate office three months before the December 22 vote.
The South Sudan Opposition Alliance and other opposition groups condemned the amendments for lacking consultation under the 2018 peace agreement.

Summary

EAC Launches Consultations

The East African Community will hold citizen consultations in Juba, Wau, Rumbek and Bor from September 24 to October 7.
Under-secretary Kawaja Kaw Madol said the consultations will address confederation structure and cooperation mechanisms.
Auxiliary Bishop Santo Loku Pio Doggale warned elections cannot proceed without a census or permanent constitution.
The UN Commission on Human Rights reported South Sudan lacks many safeguards and over 2.5 million people remain internally displaced.

History

Historical Context

The 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, signed by Sudanese leaders John Garang and Salva Kiir, ended decades of civil war and set a ten-year timetable for a self-determination referendum. The United Nations Mission in Sudan oversaw the 2005 census, counting twelve million southern residents, as the African Union pledged five-hundred million dollars for reconstruction. Today, President Salva Kiir’s dissolution of the unity government and amendment of the National Elections Act echo the CPA’s contentious constitutional delays that sparked opposition protests. The recurrence of constitutional uncertainty threatens South Sudan’s fragile peace, risking renewed displacement of millions and prompting the East African Community’s confederation consultations.

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Kiir Dissolves Government

President Salva Kiir dissolved the transitional unity government on September 22, 2026.
Kiir signed amendments to the National Elections Act removing the need for a permanent constitution and census before elections.
The law forces the first vice president and four vice presidents to vacate office three months before the December 22 vote.
The South Sudan Opposition Alliance and other opposition groups condemned the amendments for lacking consultation under the 2018 peace agreement.

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