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South Sudan Postpones First National Elections Until February 2027
Confirmed
In Short: South Sudan’s Secretary General of the National Elections Commission, Ahon Malou Lueth, confirmed the postponement to AFP, noting that the country was ready to move beyond the prolonged transitional government established under the 2018 peace agreement.
Salva Kiir Mayardit The South Sudan president.
South Sudan to begin voter registration on November 14. The Radio Community
South Sudan has postponed its first-ever presidential and parliamentary elections until February 11, 2027, after initially setting the date for December 22, 2026. The National Elections Commission announced the new schedule on Saturday, citing the need for additional time to ensure a credible electoral process.
The country’s election commission chairman, Gabriel Bol Deng, said a total of 3,161 registration centers have been set up across South Sudan, with more than 22,000 staff recruited for the operation. Voter registration is now scheduled to begin on November 14 and continue until November 28.
South Sudan became independent from Sudan in 2011, but the country has faced significant challenges, including a civil war from 2013 to 2018 that resulted in the deaths of at least 400,000 people. The conflict was between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and his rival, Riek Machar.
The latest postponement is the fourth delay since the country set 2022 as its election year. South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir dissolved the transitional unity government in September and appointed a caretaker administration, further complicating the electoral timeline.
The World Bank reports that about 90 percent of South Sudan’s 15 million inhabitants lack state-recognized identification, complicating voter registration efforts. This issue, combined with ongoing ethnic and political tensions, has raised concerns about the feasibility of holding a fair and credible election.
The United Nations Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan has issued several warnings about the deteriorating security situation, including the displacement of tens of thousands of people and the disruption of international humanitarian operations. The commission has also warned that tensions in recent months have heightened the risk of renewed conflict and atrocity crimes.
Yasmin Sooka, chair of the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, criticized the postponement, stating, “This amounts to a constitutional coup through legislative reforms.” She added, “Whether elections take place or not, South Sudan will still need an inclusive political settlement, protection for civilians, and institutions capable of preventing further violence.”
South Sudan’s Secretary General of the National Elections Commission, Ahon Malou Lueth, confirmed the postponement to AFP, noting that the country was ready to move beyond the prolonged transitional government established under the 2018 peace agreement.
What this adds
The new election date was announced on the day that voter registration was due to start, raising questions about the commission's preparedness for the revised timeline.
What's confirmed
- South Sudan became independent from Sudan in 2011, but Kiir’s and Machar’s forces fought a civil war from 2013 to 2018 that killed at least 400,000 people.
- The UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan has issued several warnings about conditions in the country, including the displacement of tens of thousands of people, the deadly battles and the disruption of international humanitarian operations.
What's still developing
- The world’s youngest country, which continues to grapple with violence despite a 2018 peace deal that ended five years of civil war, has delayed the vote at least three times since setting 2022 as its election year.
- That step allowed the country to move towards elections without first completing a permanent constitution or census – two processes that were previously tied to the transition.
- The electoral commission issued a new calendar on social media, giving a new voting date of February 11, with results to be announced four days later.
- According to the commission's timetable, the presidential and National Assembly elections are set for January 16, 2027, followed by governorship and State Houses of Assembly polls on February 6, 2027.
- Ethiopia and Sudan have closed each other’s consulates near their shared border, officials said, as allegations that each side is supporting the other’s enemies further worsen relations between them.
- Related News DBN unveils $275m facility to shield MSMEs from climate risks Zambia withdraws from Miss Universe over US travel restrictions UK appoints ex-intelligence chief as first climate security envoy South Sudan became independent from Sudan in 2011, but forces loyal to Kiir and Machar fought a civil war between 2013 and 2018 that killed at least 400,000 people.
- South Sudan's President Salva Kiir attends the plenary session of the Russia-Africa Summit at the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Thursday, Oct.