The presidency of South Sudan announced the extension of the transitional period in the country for two years, in addition to postponing the date of elections in the country, which were initially scheduled to be held in December 2024.
The office of President Salva Kiir Mayardit said in a statement on Friday evening that “the presidency announced the extension of the transitional period in the country for two years, in addition to postponing the elections, which were initially scheduled to be held, in December 2024, to December 22, 2026.”
“Additional time is needed to complete key tasks before the elections,” the statement added.
The statement quoted Cabinet Affairs Minister Martin Elia Lomuro as saying that “the extension came in response to the recommendations of electoral institutions and security institutions.”
“There are crucial pending tasks necessary for the successful holding of the elections, which necessitates a postponement,” he said, stressing that the government “will continue to operate during this extended period”.
Minister Lumoro explained that this initiative is necessary “to achieve long-term peace and stability in the country.”
Earlier this year, UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged South Sudanese authorities to take “urgent steps” to allow elections to take place.
South Sudan has not held elections since independence from Sudan in 2011 and has since suffered violence, poverty and natural disasters.
Election plans have long been the victim of a sharp tussle between President Salva Kiir and his vice president and bitter opponent Riek Machar, who fought a civil war between 2013 and 2018 that killed thousands and displaced millions.
A peace deal was reached in 2018 that laid the foundations for a “transition” period that would pave the way for general elections, but differences between the two men
