Kiir dissolves South Sudan government ahead of December vote

South Sudan President Salva Kiir dissolved the transitional government and appointed a caretaker administration, clearing the way for elections scheduled for December 22 while concentrating executive authority in his office during the campaign period. A decree announced on state television Tuesday night removed vice presidents, ministers and local administrators and dissolved the national legislature, state assemblies and authorities in three administrative areas. Kiir is to remain president with full constitutional powers until a newly elected president is sworn in. Caretaker ministers were appointed to oversee key ministries, including foreign affairs, defense, justice, finance and petroleum. The move followed amendments to the National Elections Act that Kiir signed on September 21. The changes remove requirements for a permanent constitution and national census to be completed before the vote, allowing preparations to proceed for the December 22 election. Those benchmarks, along with voter registration and unification of forces loyal to rival parties, remain unfinished under the 2018 peace agreement.