Faith Nyasuguta
South Sudan’s government has announced a two-year postponement of the national elections originally scheduled for December 2024, now set for December 22, 2026. This decision has sparked significant concern both domestically and internationally, as the country has not held national elections since gaining independence from Sudan in 2011.
President Salva Kiir, who has ruled since independence, made the announcement alongside his five Vice Presidents, citing the need to complete critical processes such as a national census, the drafting of a permanent constitution, and the registration of political parties.
The government argues that these steps are essential to ensure a credible and inclusive electoral process, but the delay has raised questions about the country’s political stability and the government’s commitment to democratic principles.
South Sudan’s politics have been fraught with challenges since its independence. The country plunged into a brutal civil war in 2013, just two years after gaining independence, pitting forces loyal to President Kiir against those aligned with his then-Vice President Riek Machar. The conflict, which lasted until 2018, resulted in the deaths of over 400,000 people and displaced millions.
Despite a peace agreement signed in 2018, the implementation of key provisions has been slow, and the country remains deeply divided along ethnic and political lines.
The transitional government, formed in February 2020, was supposed to pave the way for national elections. However, the process has been marred by delays and setbacks. The recent announcement of the election postponement is the second such delay since the transitional period began.
The government has cited logistical challenges, including a lack of funding and the need for comprehensive electoral preparations, as reasons for the delay. The National Election Commission, for instance, has struggled with voter registration due to financial constraints and logistical issues.
The international community has expressed concern over the postponement. The United Nations and various human rights organizations have called for urgent steps to ensure that the elections are held as soon as possible. “We are deeply concerned about the repeated delays in South Sudan’s electoral process,” said a spokesperson for the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). “The people of South Sudan deserve the opportunity to choose their leaders through a free and fair electoral process.”
Domestically, the postponement has sparked a mix of frustration and resignation among South Sudanese citizens. Many see the delay as a tactic by the current leadership to cling to power. “These extensions have been used as a strategy for clinging to power,” said Edmund Yakani, head of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO). The sentiment is echoed by other civil society groups, which have warned that further delays could lead to increased instability and violence.
The economic situation in South Sudan further complicates the political situation. The country, despite its rich oil reserves, faces severe economic challenges, including a lack of basic services and unpaid salaries for civil servants. The economic crisis has been exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in neighboring Sudan, which has disrupted oil exports.
The postponement of the elections highlights the fragile nature of South Sudan’s peace and the immense challenges that lie ahead in building a stable and democratic nation.
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