Leaders from South Sudan’s major political parties have officially confirmed that the country’s transitional period will not be extended and pledged to hold national general elections on 22 December 2026.
The announcement followed an expanded meeting of the Presidency, which brought together representatives of parties to the Revitalised Peace Agreement.
The Minister of Presidential Affairs, Africano Mande Gedima, read the official communiqué at the conclusion of the meeting, highlighting the political leadership’s unity and commitment to the electoral timetable.
The gathering emphasized the importance of completing outstanding provisions of the peace agreement to ensure a smooth and peaceful election process.
During the meeting, the parties agreed to establish a committee tasked with addressing unresolved issues within the peace agreement, particularly those critical to the 2026 elections.
The committee will oversee amendments to key provisions of R-ARCISS and the transitional constitution, ensuring they align with the requirements for national polls.
In addition, another committee will be formed to draft and submit the necessary amendments to the leadership of the various signatories, facilitating timely electoral preparations.
Leaders also underscored the need to address election-related grievances through dialogue, reinforcing political stability ahead of the vote.
Security arrangements were another key focus of the meeting.
Parties called for the immediate completion of all transitional security protocols outlined in Chapter Two of the peace agreement, recognizing their importance for a peaceful electoral process.
Several post-election priorities were also identified, including the drafting of a permanent constitution and conducting a national population census.
To support these efforts, the Finance and Planning Ministry has been tasked with allocating and disbursing the financial resources needed for all election-related activities.
Political leaders concluded the meeting by reiterating their commitment to steering South Sudan towards its first national elections since independence, emphasizing unity, dialogue, and preparation as central to a credible and peaceful electoral process.
