South Sudan’s President, Salva Kiir Mayardit, reaffirmed his commitment to holding the country’s general elections in December 2026 during the recent Governor’s Forum.
Originally set for December this year, the elections were postponed in September as part of a two-year extension to the country’s transition period.
In his speech, President Kiir highlighted the significance of concluding the Tumaini peace negotiations. He emphasized that discussions with hold-out groups aim to integrate their concerns into the existing 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement, rather than replacing it.
“Our collective vision as signatories of the peace agreement is to bridge the gap and incorporate the reservations of the hold-out groups, ensuring that the Tumaini Initiative complements the existing framework,” Kiir explained.
He added, “Any effort to replace the current agreement would undermine the principle of inclusivity and likely trigger another cycle of conflict.”
However, Nicholas Haysom, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, voiced his disappointment over the election delay. He called the decision “regrettable but inevitable,” citing slow progress on key aspects of the peace agreement. Haysom stressed the need for a well-defined, realistic plan for the next two years.
The Governor’s Forum comes at a challenging time for South Sudan, which is grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis. Currently, nine million people in the country require aid, and the influx of 880,000 refugees and returnees fleeing violence in neighboring Sudan has further strained resources.
