South Sudan’s Transitional Government Faces Criticism After Delaying Elections Again

International guarantors of South Sudan’s peace process expressed disappointment after the transitional government postponed elections, originally scheduled for December, citing a failure to implement the 2018 peace plan. This marks the second delay after a similar postponement in 2022.

President Salva Kiir’s office announced an extension of the transitional period by two years, further delaying the long-awaited elections. Despite the 2018 peace deal ending a five-year civil war, sporadic violence persists between rival communities.

Guarantors, including the UK, US, EU, and others, condemned the delay, calling it a setback to achieving lasting peace through elections. South Sudan’s Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Martin Elia Lomuro, responded by acknowledging the criticism but insisted that the country would not return to war.

The United Nations’ special envoy for South Sudan also noted that the country is unprepared for elections.