By Enyichukwu Enemanna
South Sudan authorities have announced the postponement of the country’s delayed election, fuelling concern on the stability of the hard-fought peace in the world youngest nation.
“The presidency, under the chairmanship of President Salva Kiir Mayardit, has announced an extension of the country’s transitional period by two years as well as postponing elections, which were initially scheduled for December 2024 to December 22nd, 2026,” Kiir’s office said on Facebook.
Since creation in 2011, South Sudan has been governed by interim leaders and has not held any election.
A peace deal in 2018 ended a civil war that engulfed the country shortly after creation, lasting for five years, causing hundreds of thousands of deaths. Frequent rivals between warring communities often spark tension.
President Salva Kiir has remained in charge of a transitional government with his former rival Riek Machar serving as his deputy.
Before the announcement on Friday, South Sudan was planning to choose leaders to succeed the current transitional government, including Kiir and his deputy Machar, whose respective forces battled each other during the civil war.
President l Kiir’s office says critical arrangements, including writing a new constitution for the country will have to be put in place before an election.
Officials have also cited logistical and security challenges, which could not be overcome by the end of the year.
The same leaders who plunged the country into the five-year civil war are the same persons who have expectedly elongated the transition period.
Authorities have also called for emergency cabinet meeting after the unsurprising postponement of polls.
