By Matik Kueth
President Salva Kiir Mayardit will dissolve the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU) tonight, Tuesday, and appoint a caretaker government to oversee state affairs during the electoral period, according to government spokeswoman Ateny Wek Ateny.
In a press statement, Ateny said the move is intended to prevent an institutional vacuum as the transitional period enters its final three months before the December 22 general elections.
He stated that the security presence in Juba was intended to protect civilians and their property, amid heightened security around government institutions on Tuesday.
“R-TGoNU is coming to an end at midnight. So, in order for institutional vacuum not to happen, His Excellency the President has the prerogative of dissolving the government tonight,” Ateny said.
“So, that when the midnight comes, there is a new government in place. So, that there is no political vacuum. So, this is a normal process,” he added.
Ateny further noted that the president would appoint a new government to oversee the electoral process following the dissolution.
“His Excellency the President has the prerogative of appointing a new government to lead the process of election,” he stressed.
“The security is down there to assure the protection of the citizens and their properties. There is nothing to worry about,” he stated.
The planned dissolution comes as South Sudan enters the three-month period before the December 22, 2026 elections, which are intended to end the country’s prolonged transitional period.
The Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity was established under the 2018 peace agreement, which provides for a transitional government whose mandate runs until elections are held.
The government’s mandate has been extended several times as key provisions of the peace agreement remained incomplete, including constitutional and electoral preparations.
The December polls would be South Sudan’s first national election since independence in 2011.
Though President Kiir signed amendments to the National Elections Act into law after parliament passed the legislation on Monday, the amended law separates the conduct of elections from the completion of the permanent constitution and national census, while providing that the incumbent executive leadership remains in office with full constitutional powers during the election period until a newly elected president assumes office.
The new law also provides for changes to the transitional executive during the three months preceding the election date, including provisions concerning the First Vice President and Vice Presidents.
The announcement also follows Kiir’s recent replacement of National Elections Commission chairperson Abednego Akok Kacuol with Gabriel Bol Deng Majok, just months before the scheduled elections.
Security was intensified around the Ministries Complex in Juba this morning (Tuesday), in preparation for the transitional government’s probable dissolution tonight.