South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit, who returned to Juba on Monday following the African Union’ 39th Ordinary Summit in Addis Ababa, firmly ruled out any further delay to the planned December 2026 general elections.
During deliberations of the African Union High-Level Ad Hoc Committee for South Sudan (C5), Kiir presented a report on the country’s political climate and preparations for the forthcoming polls. He reiterated that there would be no extension of the transitional period, stressing that the elections would provide citizens the opportunity to choose their leaders through a democratic process.
The C5 Plus meeting oulined that the decisions taken in the coming months would determine whether the country consolidates durable peace or risks renewed instability. It reaffirmed the African Union’s commitment to supporting South Sudan’s transition towards stability and credible, inclusive elections.
The summit discussions unfolded against concerns over delays in implementing key aspects of the 2018 peace accord, including security sector reforms, constitutional drafting and the unification of armed groups—areas widely viewed as pivotal to preventing a relapse into conflict.
According to Foreign Affairs Minister Monday Semaya Kumba, Kiir held bilateral meetings on the margins of the summit aimed at strengthening strategic partnerships and enhancing regional cooperation.
South Sudan, independent since 2011, is preparing for its first elections since the 2018 peace agreement that ended a five-year civil war marked by widespread casualties and displacement.
