South Sudan’s government has announced a two-year postponement of the national elections initially scheduled for December 2024, now set for December 22, 2026. This decision extends the mandate of the transitional government and is aimed at completing crucial processes such as a national census, drafting a permanent constitution, and registering political parties
The postponement follows recommendations from electoral institutions and the security sector, as confirmed by Martin Elia Lomuro, the Minister of Cabinet Affairs. The delay is intended to ensure the successful implementation of protocols from the 2018 peace agreement, which ended a five-year civil war that claimed over 400,000 lives.
The decision comes amid an economic crisis in South Sudan, with civil servants going unpaid for almost a year due to disruptions in oil exports caused by a damaged pipeline in neighboring Sudan. Additionally, a new security law allowing warrantless detentions has raised human rights concerns.
While some analysts warn that further delays could lead to violence, others emphasize the need for legitimate elections to avoid wasting resources and causing chaos. As South Sudan navigates these challenges, the international community continues to monitor the situation closely.
The main reasons for the postponement of South Sudan’s elections, originally scheduled for December 2024, are multifaceted and rooted in the need to complete essential preparatory processes. Key among these are conducting a national census, drafting a permanent constitution, and registering political parties[1][2][3][6]. The government, led by President Salva Kiir, has emphasised that these steps are critical for ensuring a legitimate and successful electoral process.
Financial constraints have also played a significant role in the delay. The country is experiencing an economic crisis, exacerbated by disruptions in oil exports due to a damaged pipeline in neighboring Sudan, which has left civil servants unpaid for nearly a year. This financial shortfall has hindered the commencement of voter registration, which was supposed to begin in June.
Additionally, political and security challenges, including the enactment of a new security law permitting warrantless detentions, have raised concerns about the potential for fear and intimidation leading up to the elections. The delay is intended to provide the necessary time to address these issues and adhere to the protocols established under the 2018 peace agreement.
