Kiir signs constitutional amendment extending transitional period by two years

JUBA – South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir on Saturday signed a constitutional amendment extending the country’s transitional period by two years, officially postponing elections initially set for December 2024 to December 2026.

The amendment, known as Constitutional Amendment Number 12, was ratified by the National Legislature on Friday during an extraordinary session.

The decision follows a consensus reached by the presidency and key stakeholders to the 2018 revitalized peace agreement to extend the transitional period from February 2025 to February 2027.

This means that elections initially slated for December of this year will be conducted in December 2026 as they should be conducted two years before the end of the transitional period.

The extension is aimed at providing more time for the government to fulfill critical tasks outlined in the peace agreement.

“This extension will allow us to complete the essential steps needed to ensure free, fair, and credible elections,” said Jemma Nunu Kumba, Speaker of the National Legislative Assembly, who presented the amendment to the President for his assent.

She urged all parties involved in the peace process to work together to develop a clear and resource-backed roadmap for the upcoming two years.

The decision was initially introduced to the legislature by Minister of Constitutional Affairs Ruben Madol Arol and was swiftly approved.

The bill passed with unanimous support, following earlier endorsements by the Cabinet, the Revitalized Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), and peace deal signatories.

Oliver Mori Benjamin, Chairperson of the Information Committee, confirmed that the amended constitution now reflects the two-year extension.

“The National Legislature unanimously endorsed this extension after consultations among all relevant stakeholders,” he said.

While government officials emphasized the need for more time to implement peace provisions, some civil society voices expressed concerns over the swift process.

“This marathon will be a marathon to V-8s rather than a marathon to save the country from political instability,” said Edmund Yakani, a prominent activist, referring to the hurried passage of the amendment without thorough deliberations.

The extension comes at a critical time for South Sudan, which is still grappling with the aftermath of a brutal civil war.

The 2018 peace deal, which ended years of conflict, has faced numerous implementation challenges, prompting the need for additional time before the country can hold its first elections since independence in 2011.