South Sudan President Salva Kiir signs new election law

South Sudan elections Salva Kiir National Elections Act transitional government dissolution political transition

President Salva Kiir of South Sudan has signed the amended National Elections Act into law, a move intended to facilitate the country’s first general elections scheduled for December 22, 2026. The new legislation removes previous requirements that tied the elections to the completion of a national census and a permanent constitution.

Under the amended law, President Kiir will retain full constitutional powers throughout the electoral period until a successor is elected. However, the first vice president and four other vice presidents appointed under the 2018 peace agreement are required to leave office three months before the elections. Following the signing of the act, Kiir also dissolved the transitional government and Parliament to establish an interim regime.

The amendments also restructure the country's legislative bodies, reducing the National Legislative Assembly from 650 members to between 270 and 332 members, and decreasing state assembly sizes. The law further extends voting rights to South Sudanese citizens living abroad.

The political atmosphere in Juba remains tense, with increased security presence reported following the announcement. Opposition groups have criticized the amendments, arguing they were passed without sufficient consultation, while human rights organizations like Amnesty International have called for the protection of civic space and freedom of expression ahead of the vote.

Entities

Amnesty International · Ateny Wek Ateny · Kornelio Kon Ngu · National Elections Commission · Riek Machar · Salva Kiir · Salva Kiir Mayardit · South Sudan · Stephen Ajongo Akol

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 5 SOURCES] General elections are scheduled to take place on December 22, 2026. newscentraltv.com · panafricanvisions.com · www.sabcnews.com · thesudantimes.com · www.amnesty.org
[● 4 SOURCES] The first vice president and four other vice presidents must leave office three months before the elections. www.radiopacis.org · panafricanvisions.com · thesudantimes.com · www.radiotamazuj.org
[● 7 SOURCES] The new law allows President Kiir to remain in office with full constitutional powers throughout the electoral period. www.radiopacis.org · newscentraltv.com · panafricanvisions.com · www.sabcnews.com · thesudantimes.com · +2 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] The law extends voting rights to South Sudanese nationals living abroad who hold valid passports. www.radiotamazuj.org
[● 5 SOURCES] President Salva Kiir signed the amended National Elections Act into law on September 21, 2026. www.radiopacis.org · panafricanvisions.com · www.sabcnews.com · thesudantimes.com · www.amnesty.org
[● 5 SOURCES] The National Legislative Assembly will be reduced from 650 members to between 270 and 332 members. www.radiopacis.org · panafricanvisions.com · www.sabcnews.com · thesudantimes.com · www.radiotamazuj.org
[● 2 SOURCES] President Salva Kiir dissolved the transitional government and Parliament to prepare for elections. tchadvision.com · www.sabcnews.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The amendments remove the requirement to complete a permanent constitution and a national census before holding elections. www.sabcnews.com · thesudantimes.com