South Sudan’s Postponed Elections: Reflections and the Path Forward

South Sudan has postponed its scheduled elections initially set for December 2024 for 24 months to 2026. The government cited a lack of preparedness and opportunity to implement key provisions of the
Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCCSS) including the drafting of a permanent constitution, the establishment of functional and adequately funded electoral institutions, political party registration, the unification of security forces, and the guarantee of safety for all citizens. The delay in the democratic process casts uncertainty over the country’s democratic transition, posing risks to both peace and stability. Without a definitive path toward democratic governance, South Sudan faces a heightened risk of regression into conflict, as the lack of a legitimate and stable government could lead to escalated violence and destabilization from competing factions.

Despite the election postponement, it remains uncertain if the necessary conditions will be met by December 2026. It is therefore crucial that the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R-
TGoNU), established to restore hope for peace, stability, and prosperity, takes decisive steps to set South Sudan on a sustainable path toward democratic transition and end the repeated cycle of election delays.

In this episode we re-evaluate South Sudan’s future amidst the current instability, exploring solutions to navigate the challenges of delayed elections and uncertain democratic transition, and ultimately seeking pathways to peace and stability.

Speaker Bio:

Patrick Godi

Patrick Godi is the youth Representative at the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission. He is an activist, researcher, policy analyst, and practitioner specializing in Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS), Governance, and Human Rights, with a focus on influencing responsive policymaking in South Sudan and Africa.

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