U.S. and allies react to extension of South Sudan’s transitional period

JUBA – The United States and its allies have expressed disappointment following the decision by President Salva Kiir Mayardit and First Vice President Riek Machar to extend South Sudan’s transitional period by two years.

The extension, announced on Friday evening, pushes the transitional period from February 2025 to February 2027, and postpones elections originally scheduled for December 2024 to December 2026.

In a joint statement, the embassies of Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States criticized the move, highlighting concerns over delays in implementing key provisions of the 2018 peace agreement.

“We take note of the September 13 announcement of a two-year extension by the transitional government. We are aware of the many challenges South Sudan is facing and understand the complexity of the electoral process,” they said.

“However, we wish to express our disappointment at this decision, as the timely holding of elections is a key element in strengthening stability, democracy, and sustainable development. The leaders of the country own this decision and are accountable to the people of South Sudan,” they added.

The statement also emphasized that the decision reflects a failure by the transitional government to implement the 2018 peace agreement, despite promises made in the 2022 “roadmap.”

“This decision reflects the failure of the transitional government to implement the 2018 peace agreement despite the promises made with the release of the ‘roadmap,’ in 2022,” they said.

“Peace is our priority, and we remain convinced that peace can best be secured through legitimate and peaceful elections. South Sudan’s leaders bear shared responsibility to act with urgency to create the necessary conditions for such elections to take place. We support both the Tumaini Initiative talks in Nairobi, and consistent leadership-level discussions in Juba,” they added.

The embassies urged all stakeholders to create conditions for peaceful, transparent, and inclusive elections as soon as possible.

“We call on all stakeholders to create the conditions necessary for the holding of peaceful, transparent, and inclusive elections as soon as possible,” the statement said.

“There is a need to engage all parties, including the ‘non-signatories,’ in a positive process as well as demonstrate how the proposed extension would progress what the last years have failed to deliver. The process of developing this plan must be consultative, inclusive, and transparent,” it added.

The government had argued that funding shortages were the reason for the extension. The allies noted the financial implications of the extension and asked the government to explain how to finance it in the next period.

“A 24-month extension would mean 24 months more expenditure on the institutions that implement the peace process. We expect the government of South Sudan to come forward with a credible and transparent plan as to how these will be financed,” they added.

The embassies reaffirmed their unwavering support for the people of South Sudan.