South Sudan President Salva Kiir dissolved the government and appointed a caretaker administration ahead of the country’s first elections, a move analysts said gave him unbridled power.
The world’s youngest nation achieved independence in 2011 but soon after plunged into a five-year civil war and figures among the poorest and most corrupt countries.
All vice-presidents, ministers and local administrators were removed and the national and state assemblies were dissolved in a presidential order aired by the national broadcaster.
According to the decree, the organised forces and judiciary will remain fully operational.
Elections are due on December 22, having twice been postponed, but the government has failed to implement almost any of the preconditions set out in a 2018 peace agreement.
No voters have been registered, rival armies have not been unified and a long-awaited constitution has not materialised.
Amnesty International said the move was a “decisive step” for South Sudan towards a “historic election”, but urged authorities to “ensure that a conducive environment exists for people to vote and stand in elections”.
The dissolution comes a day after changes to the National Elections Act that allowed Kiir to stay in power while removing all vice-presidents, appointed under the 2018 peace deal, during the election period.
The amendments also allow for the vote to go ahead despite the lack of a constitution or census.