South Sudan’s opposition has warned that President Salva Kiir Mayardit’s caretaker administration could undermine public confidence in the country’s December elections if political parties are not consulted over its composition.
Presidential aspirant Kornelio Kon Ngu said on Wednesday that the caretaker government should include politically neutral officials capable of managing state institutions while preparing the country for the 22 December 2026 elections.
Kon questioned whether officials affiliated with political parties could oversee an electoral process that is expected to be free and fair.
“The people who are going to manage the election should be neutral,” Kon said, arguing that political parties should have been consulted before the caretaker appointments were made.
His remarks followed President Kiir’s decision to dissolve the transitional government and establish a caretaker administration ahead of the elections.
Kon also criticised the inter-party dialogue due to take place in Juba on Thursday, saying political parties need meaningful participation in decisions concerning the country’s political and electoral process.
The dialogue, initially scheduled for 17 September, was postponed to 24 September at the main hall of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly.
Kon leads the National United Democratic Front (NUDF) and a faction of the National Alliance of Political Parties.
South Sudan is due to hold general elections on 22 December 2026, under a timetable agreed as part of the country’s transition from the 2018 peace agreement.
