Faith Nyasuguta
The United Nations (UN) has voiced significant disappointment regarding the extension of South Sudan’s transitional period, now set to last until February 2027. Nicholas Haysom, the head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), expressed this regret during an extraordinary meeting of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) held in Juba.
“While the UN will endorse the extension of the transitional period, we do so with real regret and disappointment,” Haysom said, reflecting the international community’s frustration.
The meeting was attended by key government officials, diplomats, regional stakeholders, civil society representatives, and the UN, focusing primarily on the decision to extend the transition, which was originally scheduled to end in 2024.
Haysom noted that this scenario mirrors a situation from two years ago, when a similar extension was granted. At that time, the extension was supported on the condition that it would be the last. “Two years ago, we faced the same situation, and we supported the extension under the condition that there would be no further delays. Unfortunately, the country is still not ready for elections that could lead to a credible and peaceful outcome,” Haysom added.
South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, has struggled with several persistent challenges, including a stalled peace process, ongoing economic crises, and widespread flooding. These issues have severely hindered the nation’s progress toward implementing key provisions of the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement, which aimed to bring lasting peace and stability.
Prosper Addo, Senior Political Officer of the African Union Mission in South Sudan (AUMISS), also addressed the meeting, supporting the decision to extend the transitional period. He emphasized that the extension is necessary given the current circumstances. “We unanimously support this extension due to the prevailing socio-economic difficulties, the lack of adequate preparations by the election commission, and security sector challenges,” Addo explained.
The extension gives South Sudan more time to address these critical issues, but it also places greater pressure on the government to act swiftly. There is now an urgent need for decisive actions, concrete reforms, and clear timelines to restore public trust in the peace process. Addo stressed that this extension should enable institutions working on the constitution, elections, and security to make adequate preparations and ensure progress in the upcoming years.
Haysom concluded by urging South Sudan’s leaders to prioritize the future of their nation and take meaningful steps toward peace. “It is time for South Sudan’s leadership to rebuild public confidence, open up political and civic spaces for elections, and involve all stakeholders, including non-signatory parties, to end this continuous cycle of transitions. Only by doing so can South Sudan finally achieve sustainable peace,” he said.
With the new extension in place, South Sudan’s leadership faces mounting pressure to implement much-needed reforms and guide the country toward long-awaited elections, creating a path to lasting peace and stability.
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