South Sudan postpones December polls, extends transitional period by two years

The South Sudanese Presidency, led by President Salva Kiir Mayardit, announced on Friday evening a two-year extension of the country's transitional period and postponed the elections initially set for December 2024 to December 22, 2026.

Speaking to reporters, Presidential Adviser on National Security, Tut Gatluak, explained that the extension provides an opportunity to implement crucial remaining protocols in the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS). These include the permanent constitution process, a national census, and the registration of political parties.

Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Dr Martin Elia Lomuro, added that the decision to extend the transitional period comes in response to recommendations from electoral institutions and the security sector. He highlighted that critical tasks, essential for a successful election, remain unfinished and require additional time to complete.

Dr. Lomuro also assured the public that the government would remain functional throughout the extended period, emphasising that it will not be dissolved. He stressed that the government will continue to operate as normal while various institutions work on fulfilling their responsibilities.

The Presidency highlighted that the remaining months of the current transitional period will focus on mobilising funds to ensure the effective implementation of the revitalised peace agreement. Dr. Lomuro emphasized that this effort is crucial for achieving long-term peace and stability in South Sudan.

The upcoming elections were seen as a pivotal moment for South Sudan, with the international community closely watching.