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Kiir dissolves South Sudan's unity government ahead of December elections

President Salva Kiir scraps the 2018 power-sharing government and installs a caretaker administration, alarming rights groups about unchecked power before the country's first national vote.

newest coverage 4h agosummary written 17h ago19 pieces11 likes & upvotes2 comments MastodonNewswiresRedditXGoogle News

What to know

  • Kiir's decree dissolves the 2018 power-sharing government, removing all vice-presidents, ministers and local administrators and dissolving parliament.
  • Parliament's amendment to the National Elections Act lets Kiir stay in power through the election period, clearing the way for a December 22 vote without a completed constitution or census.
  • Analysts and a former constitution drafter warn the move leaves Kiir as the sole holder of power, with no vice-presidents, executive checks or legislature.
  • Rival Riek Machar remains under house arrest on treason and murder charges as the government heads toward South Sudan's first-ever national elections.

Salva KiirSalva Kiir President of South SudanRiek MacharRiek Machar Leader, SPLM-IO oppositionTigere Chagutah Amnesty International regional director, East and Southern AfricaMichael Wani Lawyer, former constitution drafting committee memberMachot Amuom Independent analystGabriel Bol Deng Majok New elections commission chief

Kiir dissolves South Sudan's unity government ahead of December elections
aljazeera.com

How it unfolded 1 development · click the chart to see its coverage articlesposts

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4 PMyesterday8 AM4 PMnow · 12:58 AM ET
  1. 1

    International outlets pick up the dissolution

    BBC World and other outlets circulated the news that South Sudan's president had dissolved the government ahead of the country's first elections.

    “during the election period until the next elected president assumes office…”
    — Presidential decree, South Sudan government decree · source
    1. 6 outlets South Sudan dissolves government ahead of first-ever national elections

      first by Al Jazeera, 1d ago · also Toronto Star, BBC, Reuters, BBC Africa, AllAfrica

      6 more headlines
  2. background

    Juba locked down around government complex — AFP reported checkpoints and road closures around the government complex in Juba, with security personnel ordered to remain on heightened alert for three days.

  3. background

    Analysts warn the changes hand Kiir unchecked power — A lawyer and an independent analyst told AFP the legal changes leave Kiir as the sole power in government, with ambiguity that could let him delay elections indefinitely.

  4. background

    Amnesty International calls decree a "decisive step" but urges safeguards — Amnesty International welcomed the decree as progress toward South Sudan's first elections while its regional director urged authorities to ensure conditions allow people to vote and stand for office freely.

  5. background

    Kiir dissolves the transitional unity government — Kiir's decree, read out by the national broadcaster, dissolved the transitional unity government, removed all vice-presidents, ministers and local administrators, dissolved the national and state assemblies, and installed a caretaker administration; the judiciary and security institutions remain in place, with Kiir staying in office "during the election period until the next elected president assumes office."

  6. background

    Parliament amends National Elections Act — South Sudan's parliament approved changes to the National Elections Act allowing Kiir to stay in power during the election period while removing all vice-presidents appointed under the 2018 peace deal.

  7. background

    Kiir replaces head of the elections commission — Without giving a reason, Kiir replaced the elections commission chief; state broadcaster SSBC said the new chief, Gabriel Bol Deng Majok, was given a "fresh mandate" to oversee election preparations.