South Sudan presidency postpones elections and extends transitional period News
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South Sudan presidency postpones elections and extends transitional period

The presidency of South Sudan, led by President Salva Kiir Mayardit, announced a two-year extension to the country’s transitional period on Friday. The national elections, which were originally scheduled for December 2024, have now been postponed to December 22, 2026.

Presidential Adviser on National Security Tut Gatluak explained that the decision was made to allow more time for the implementation of key protocols, such as finalizing the permanent constitution and completing the national consensus, as outlined in the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).

Minister of Cabinet Affairs Dr. Martin Elia Lomuro added that the recommendations from electoral and security institutions were key in the decision-making process. He emphasized the need for additional time to address “pending critical tasks necessary for the successful conduct of elections.”

The extension follows an earlier postponement, in which elections planned for February 2023 were pushed back to December 2024. Last year, President Salva Kiir reaffirmed his commitment to hold the December 2024 elections. He reassured his supporters that the government remains dedicated to implementing key chapters of the refreshed peace agreement, particularly the clauses related to elections and governance reforms.

South Sudan’s economic situation remains dire, and such challenges have stalled preparations for the elections. The country has faced issues regarding unpaid civil servants and disruptions in oil exports, for instance, due to the conflict in neighboring Sudan. Security concerns have also weighed heavily on the decision to postpone. The country is still recovering from its civil war, which led to a peace agreement between President Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar in 2018. Sporadic violence between rival communities continues to threaten stability, and a new security law allowing warrantless detentions has raised alarms among human rights groups and Western governments who fear it could create an oppressive atmosphere during elections.

Despite these issues, the government remains optimistic. Minister Lomuro assured the public that the government would remain operational, using the extended period to mobilize resources and ensure the effective implementation of the revitalized peace agreement.

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