South Sudan president dissolves transitional government ahead of delayed elections

JUBA, South Sudan -- JUBA, South Sudan (AP) — South Sudan President Salva Kiir dissolved his country's transitional government, removing his deputies and introducing a caretaker administration ahead of elections on Dec 22. The changes outlined in an executive decree were announced on state television Tuesday night. The order also dissolved the national legislature, the country's 10 state governments and their assemblies, as well as authorities in three administrative areas.Kiir, who will remain president throughout the electoral period until a new president is sworn in, appointed caretaker ministers to oversee key ministries including foreign affairs, defense, cabinet affairs, interior, justice, national security, finance, petroleum, information and peace building.The transitional period and implementation of a 2018 peace agreement, which ended a deadly civil war, has been extended several times. The transitional government's dissolution was envisaged as part of the road map to elections. In previous orders, Kiir has alarmed observers by dismissing important officials. He fired the National Elections Commission chairperson on Sept. 15 without publicly giving a reason.Kiir suspended...