The South Sudanese government on Tuesday dismissed claims that its mandate had been extended by 24 months, insisting no such decision had been discussed by the Council of Ministers, even as it pledged to fund long-delayed general elections set for December 2026.
Government Spokesperson and Information Minister Ateny Wek Ateny said reports circulating in sections of the media and online platforms suggesting an extension were “misleading” and not based on any official resolution.
“This is not true. There is nowhere extension was discussed,” Ateny told reporters in Juba, rejecting statements falsely attributed to him and urging journalists to verify information with credible sources.
The denial comes amid renewed focus on preparations for the country’s first elections since independence in 2011, scheduled for Dec. 22, 2026.
The polls have been repeatedly postponed due to political disagreements and delays in implementing key provisions of the 2018 peace agreement.
Ateny said the government was prepared to finance the electoral process, addressing concerns raised by National Elections Commission (NEC) Chairperson Abednego Akok, who last week warned that preparations were lagging due to a lack of resources for voter registration, civic education and logistics.
“The government has the money because oil is still flowing, although it has some difficulties,” Ateny said, adding that non-oil revenues would also support the process and that elections would be state-funded.
He noted that preparations were underway to keep the electoral timeline on track, including the constitutional requirement for a transition to a caretaker government ahead of the vote.
“So, from October the government should be a caretaker government that will lead people to elections,” he said.
On legal reforms tied to the elections, Ateny confirmed that the cabinet had approved amendments to provisions in the revitalized peace agreement to delink the conduct of a national census and the drafting of a permanent constitution from the electoral process.
The proposed changes, he said, would be submitted to parliament for consideration, in line with provisions allowing signatories to amend the agreement.
“What I can tell you is the fact that Article 8.4 of Chapter 8 of the revitalized peace agreement mandates the parties that signed the agreement to be able to amend the agreement,” Ateny said.
The government’s reassurances come as pressure mounts to ensure credible and timely elections, seen as a critical step in South Sudan’s fragile transition from conflict to democratic governance
