By Matik Kueth
King News, Juba, 13th Sep 2024 – South Sudan’s transitional government clawed off the long-awaited elections to December 2026 on Friday and extended the transitional period for another two years.
According to the President’s Office, the transitional government has postponed the elections initially scheduled for December 22, 2024.
After the presidency meeting, Tut Gatluak, Presidential Advisor on Security Affairs, told the media that the extension is an opportunity to implement the remaining critical tasks in R-ARCSS, such as the permanent constitution process, census, and political party registration.
According to the statement, Elia Lomuro, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, stated the extension is in response to the recommendations from both electoral institutions and the security sector.
“Citing pending critical tasks necessary for the successful conduct of elections, necessitating the delay, saying there is a need for additional time to complete essential tasks before the polls,” the statement read in part.
He reassured the public that the government would remain operational during this extended period.
However, Lomuro stressed that the government will not be dissolved and will continue functioning as usual while the institutions work to finalize their provisions.
The Presidency also emphasizes that the remaining months of the current transitional period will be used to mobilize funds aimed at effectively implementing the revitalized peace agreement.
Dr. Lomuro emphasized that this initiative is crucial for achieving long-term peace and stability in the country.
The political dispute between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar from 2013 to 2018 ended six years ago with a peace agreement.
The unrelenting dispute between the two leaders has caused hardship for the people of South Sudan. It has been a constant obstacle to the transitional period intended to clear the way for the country’s first democratic elections.