South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has hinted that the country will end its current government structure of five vice-presidents and 650 MPs.

This comes after he signed the amended transitional legal framework, which the country has been using since 2018, ahead of its first-ever elections scheduled for 22 December 2026.

The signing of the amended Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) paved the way for elections without South Sudan necessarily having a permanent constitution.

In an interview with Kenya’s Citizen TV in Juba, published on 23 July, President Kiir hinted that one of the major changes under the new arrangement will be scrapping the five vice-president posts and reducing the number of MPs.

‘Necessary compromise’

The South Sudanese president explained that the high number of public office holders was a necessary "compromise" to maintain peace after the country’s civil war, which ended in 2018.

However, he acknowledged that the "huge government prevented development," as taking care of the VPs, MPs, and other government officials had put pressure on state funds.

Kiir, who has been in power since independence in 2011, said that after the upcoming elections, the posts "will have to be reduced so that there's a window for development."

The South Sudanese leader did not reveal how many VP posts and MP seats will be retained.

South Sudan’s five vice presidents represent various ethnic groups and political factions as a way of ensuring political inclusion.

Political rivalry

President Salva Kiir suspended First Vice President Riek Machar in September 2025 amid increasing political rivalry between them.

Machar was later charged with treason linked to violence between forces loyal to him and those loyal to President Kiir. He denies the charges.

The other four VPs are: James Wani Igga, Taban Deng Gai, Rebecca Nyandeng Garang, and Hussein Abdelbagi.

South Sudan, the world’s youngest country, gained independence from Sudan in 2011 but quickly descended into instability.

A civil war from 2013 to 2018 led to hundreds of thousands of deaths and millions of displacements.

It has never held national elections, with the polls repeatedly postponed due to a lack of funds and political instability.

But President Kiir, who is widely expected to run in the elections, said this time around, the country is "ready."