International delegates at a high-level forum in South Sudan have sounded the alarm over the country’s delayed elections, cautioning that time is running out to organize a credible vote. The failure to hold elections, originally scheduled under the 2018 peace agreement, threatens to deepen political uncertainty in Africa’s youngest nation.
The Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity, formed in 2020, has postponed the polls three times. Now, with growing international pressure and concerns about the government’s commitment, the ability to conduct free and fair elections remains in question.
The three-day forum, co-hosted by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the African Union, brought together key political, security, and civil society figures. Discussions centered on electoral preparedness, security arrangements, and the finalization of a permanent constitution.
Nicholas Haysom, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for South Sudan and head of UNMISS, addressed concerns over financial support for the elections.
“There are many who argue that the failure up to now can be attributed to the failure of the international community to provide funds and resources for the elections.
“I have to make it absolutely clear there is not one penny that is coming for these elections if the South Sudanese don’t indicate the political will to implement this electoral programme.”
Nicholas Haysom
Haysom warned that if the forum failed to deliver a concrete path forward, public confidence in the political future would further erode.
“So, people will look very closely at the steps which the South Sudanese are taking to demonstrate the political will and the desire to exit the transition that is so behind schedule.”
Nicholas Haysom
Joram Biswaro, head of the African Union Mission in South Sudan, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that the window for delay has closed.
“While we are aware of these essential requirements, the willingness to practice these values seems to be absent. But it is important to note that we cannot continue doing the same things and expect different results. Hence, a change must take place.”
Joram Biswaro
A Nation Shaped by Decades of Conflict
South Sudan’s troubled journey to nationhood is rooted in decades of conflict, colonial-era divisions, and struggles over resources. The country gained independence from Sudan in 2011 following a historic referendum in which 99% of voters supported secession. However, unresolved disputes over borders, oil revenue, and political power soon triggered a devastating civil war in 2013.
The brutal civil war started between factions loyal to President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar. This conflict, which lasted from 2013 to 2018, displaced millions and left the country in economic ruin.
The First Sudanese Civil War (1955–1972) and the subsequent Second Sudanese Civil War (1983–2005) were marked by violent struggles between the predominantly Muslim, Arab-majority north and the Christian-animist, ethnically African south. These conflicts were fueled by systemic marginalization and disputes over governance.
The 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), brokered under international mediation, set the stage for South Sudan’s eventual independence. It introduced a power-sharing government and mandated the 2011 referendum that led to the country’s split from Sudan.
The forum’s discussions focused on finalizing transitional security measures and establishing the legal framework for elections. The Chair of the National Transitional Committee, Kuol Manyang Juuk, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to holding elections at the end of the transitional period.
However, with limited time and a fragile political climate, questions remain about whether South Sudan’s leaders can meet the necessary conditions for a credible vote. The success or failure of the upcoming elections will determine whether the country moves toward lasting stability or risks further instability.
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