By Ginaba Lino
The Government of South Sudan has firmly dismissed claims of a possible extension of the transitional period, declaring that national elections will be conducted as scheduled in December 2026.
Addressing journalists in Juba, the Minister of Information and the official government spokesperson Ateny Wek Ateny said, the Presidency and the Council of Ministers have already resolved that elections must take place before the end of the year, with no provision for any further extension.
“There is no mention of any extension whatsoever. The elections must be conducted at the end of 2026,” the spokesperson emphasized, refuting reports circulating in some media outlets and online platforms suggesting otherwise.
The clarification follows the recent Cabinet approval of an amendment bill presented by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Michael Makuei Lueth. The spokesperson explained that the move has been widely misunderstood.
According to Ateny, the bill approved without reservation does not extend the life of the government but instead allows the National Legislative Assembly to deliberate on amendments to the Revitalized Peace Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan.
The amendments, guided by Article 8.4 of the agreement, seek to delink key pre-election requirements, such as a national census and the drafting of a permanent constitution from the electoral timeline.
“The intention is to allow elections to proceed on time, while those processes are handled later by an elected government,” the spokesperson said.
On the security situation, Hon. Ateny described the country as relatively stable, with isolated insecurity reported in parts of northern Jonglei State involving opposition elements.
The spokesperson reiterated President Salva Kiir Mayardit’s call for dialogue among all political actors, including non-signatories to the peace agreement, to ensure a peaceful electoral process.
He linked the government’s position to recent resolutions by the C5 group, which also emphasized no extension of the transitional period and the need for elections to proceed as planned.
Responding to concerns over funding, Wek assured that resources for the elections will be mobilized domestically, citing oil revenues and non-oil income streams.
“The government will sponsor the elections. We have the capacity to do so,” the spokesperson said.
He added that critical timelines are approaching, noting that key electoral processes including voter registration must begin soon, with less than six months remaining before the constitutional deadline.
The Minister of Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services, and the Government spokesperson concluded by reaffirming its commitment to a timely, peaceful, and credible electoral process, positioning the December 2026 polls as a critical step toward ending the country’s prolonged transition.