By: Ginaba Lino
South Sudan’s political leaders have agreed that the country’s transitional period will not be extended, reaffirming their commitment to holding national general elections on 22 December 2026.
The resolution was announced in a communiqué read by Minister of Presidential Affairs Africano Mande Gedima following an expanded meeting of the Presidency attended by leaders of parties to the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCISS).
According to the communiqué, the parties resolved to establish a committee mandated to address outstanding issues in the peace agreement, particularly those crucial to the election roadmap. This committee will recommend amendments to key provisions of the R-ARCISS and the transitional constitution changes deemed necessary before the 2026 polls.
Another committee will be formed to draft and present proposed amendments to the leadership of all signatory parties, ensuring coherent and coordinated preparations for the elections. The parties represented include SPLM-IG, SPLM-IO, SSOA, FDs, and OPP.
To promote political stability ahead of the vote, the leaders agreed that any election-related grievances should be resolved through dialogue. They also directed the immediate completion of all transitional security arrangements outlined in Chapter Two of the peace agreement, describing them as essential for a peaceful electoral environment.
The communiqué further identified several pending national tasks including the drafting of a permanent constitution and a national population census as priorities to be undertaken after the elections.
Additionally, the meeting tasked the Minister of Finance and Planning with allocating and disbursing the funds required for timely implementation of all election-related activities.
The political leaders emphasized their collective resolve to steer South Sudan toward its first national elections since independence, underscoring a unified commitment to concluding the transition as scheduled.