South Sudanese presidential aspirant Kornelio Kon Ngu on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, criticized President Salva Kiir for appointing a caretaker administration without consulting political parties.
Kiir dissolved the Transitional Government of National Unity on Tuesday, September 22, and appointed caretaker ministers and state governors ahead of elections scheduled for December 22, 2026. Kon said political actors had previously agreed that appointments following the government’s dissolution would be made through consultations. He questioned whether politically affiliated officials could oversee state institutions while ensuring a free and fair election.
Although the presidential order requires caretaker officials to remain politically neutral and prohibits them from using state resources to favour or disadvantage any candidate, Kon urged Kiir to appoint competent people without political affiliations. He said the caretaker administration should have a limited mandate, concentrating on essential government services and supporting electoral preparations.
Kon also criticized the inter-party dialogue scheduled for Thursday, September 24, arguing that recent constitutional amendments had altered the country’s political framework. The former deputy speaker, who leads the opposition National United Democratic Front and a faction of the National Alliance of Political Parties, intends to challenge Kiir in the presidential election. South Sudan has repeatedly postponed elections since gaining independence in 2011.