South Sudan has postponed its first national elections from December 2026 to February 11, 2027, amid rising political instability, ethnic tensions and renewed violence in the country.
The presidential and parliamentary elections, initially scheduled for December 22, have been delayed several times since the country gained independence in 2011.
The country’s electoral commission announced the revised date on Saturday, stating that the election results would be released on February 15. The announcement came on the day voter registration was expected to begin across more than 3,100 centres nationwide.
Electoral commission Secretary-General Ahon Malou Lueth confirmed the postponement to AFP but did not provide further details on the decision.
The development comes as tensions escalate between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and supporters of detained former Vice President Riek Machar, with deadly clashes reported in recent months.
Machar has been under house arrest since March 2025 over allegations of crimes against humanity. His detention has further deepened political divisions in the country.
South Sudan has also continued to face ethnic violence and cattle-rustling conflicts, while reports indicate that some electoral centres had yet to receive the necessary equipment ahead of the planned registration exercise.
The United Nations has repeatedly raised concerns about the deteriorating security situation, warning that conducting elections under the current conditions could trigger renewed violence.
The UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan has also highlighted the displacement of tens of thousands of people and disruptions to humanitarian operations, warning of an increased risk of renewed conflict and atrocities.
South Sudan became independent from Sudan in 2011 but descended into a civil war in 2013 following a power struggle between Kiir and Machar. The conflict lasted until 2018 and claimed at least 400,000 lives.
