South Sudan President Salva Kiir has removed two senior government officials after the unexpected death of one of them, who had been tasked with leading key discussions on the upcoming national elections.

Last month, Kiir appointed Steward Soroba Budia to spearhead negotiations ahead of the elections, scheduled for December this year. Budia’s sudden passing has prompted the government to reshuffle leadership to ensure that the electoral preparations continue without delay.

The move highlights the challenges facing South Sudan as it seeks to conduct credible elections amid ongoing political tensions. Officials removed from their posts had played central roles in co-ordinating discussions between different political and administrative stakeholders, making their replacement a critical step in maintaining the momentum of the electoral process.

East Africa correspondent, Alfred Dzaoneni, reports that the government is expected to announce new appointments in the coming days as it works to stabilise the electoral framework and reassure citizens of a smooth and transparent voting process.

–ChannelAfrica–