President Salva Kiir recently fired the members of his cabinet, state governors, and others, replacing them with loyal members of his own ethnic group and party. Thus he overturned the government formed by the 2018 peace agreement and established even greater personal control.
The President also made a trip to South Africa to meet with its president and discuss areas of mutual interest.
The first elections since independence fifteen years ago are scheduled for late December. Prerequisites such as a census and establishing a constitution have not been completed. There is great concern that the elections will not be free, open, and unbiased. As a result, there is increased concern and even conflict in several areas of the nation.
Because of government actions, widespread armed conflict and reduction in humanitarian support from donor nations:
- hunger is widespread with some starvation,
- poor health and sanitation, caused by lack of government support, result in widespread disease,
- lack of support for education has resulted in many teachers not being paid.
Please join the South Sudanese people in praying for peace and reconciliation.