South Sudan has postponed its first national elections again, moving the presidential and legislative vote from December 22, 2026, to February 11, 2027, amid rising insecurity.
The National Elections Commission announced the new date in an updated calendar shared on social media on Saturday, November 14. It also scheduled the announcement of results for February 15.
Commission Secretary-General Ahon Malou Lueth confirmed the change to Agence France-Presse (AFP), but declined to explain the decision.The postponement comes amid tensions between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and supporters of detained former vice president Riek Machar.
The two sides have faced deadly confrontations.Ethnic disputes and clashes linked to cattle-rustling have added to the insecurity. The United Nations has warned that the situation could worsen if the country holds elections without addressing the risks.
In October, the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan warned that holding the vote under current conditions could trigger renewed conflict. It also raised concerns about displacement, deadly fighting and disruptions to humanitarian operations.
Voter registration faces logistical challengesThe commission announced the new date on the day voter registration was due to begin. Officials had planned more than 3,100 registration centres nationwide.
However, some centres had yet to receive the equipment for the exercise, officials said. South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011 but has never held a national election.
Authorities have postponed the polls several times, with December 22, 2026, as the latest scheduled date. The country endured a civil war from 2013 to 2018, when Kiir’s and Machar’s forces fought for control.
The conflict killed at least 400,000 people.Machar has remained under house arrest since March 2025. Authorities have accused him of crimes against humanity. Under the revised timetable, voters will go to the polls on February 11, 2027.
The commission plans to announce results four days later.
Emiabata Deborah Oluwabusiolami
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