South Sudan Election Delay Seen as Riskier
Arabic version: تأجيل انتخابات جنوب السودان يُنظر إليه بوصفه أكثر خطورة
According to Allafrica, South Sudan is expected to hold its first election on 22 December 2026, after polls were postponed in 2022 and 2024. Researcher Jan Pospisil argues that, while the vote will almost certainly be imperfect, another extension of the transition is even less likely to address the country’s political problems.
The National Election Commission announced the date six months ahead as required by law, but preparations and funding have raised doubts about whether the timetable is realistic. Voter registration has not begun, civic education is lacking and insecurity persists in parts of the country. The election law is also described as flawed, including a provision for 105% of seats in the national assembly.
Key commitments under the 2018 peace agreement remain unfinished. South Sudan has no permanent constitution, progress on integrating government, opposition and other armed groups into a unified force has been limited, and transitional justice processes have not started. Riek Machar, the first vice-president and a potential presidential contender, remains detained and on trial over his role in armed fighting in Nasir, Upper Nile State, in March 2025.
Pospisil contends that a further two- or three-year extension is unlikely to produce different results. He says an election could help clarify political succession by requiring the ruling party to nominate presidential and vice-presidential candidates, creating a more defined pathway if the presidency becomes vacant.
Electoral violence remains a genuine risk, the analysis says, but delaying a vote may deepen political uncertainty rather than reduce it. Nationwide survey research found that around four in five South Sudanese support elections, though many also recognise the possibility of violence. The article says short technical extensions or separate executive and legislative elections could be considered, but argues against an indefinite postponement.