South Sudan announces long-awaited first national election date

South Sudan has announced plans to hold its first-ever general election on December 22nd, raising hopes for a democratic transition while concerns persist over security, funding, and political tensions, reports BBC News Africa with AFP on June 23rd.

If held as scheduled, the vote would mark the first national election since the country gained independence in 2011. President Salva Kiir, who has led South Sudan since its founding, has never faced voters in a national ballot.

The election has been repeatedly delayed over the past decade. It was initially scheduled for 2015 but was postponed after civil war erupted in the young nation. A 2018 peace agreement between Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar later set the stage for elections in 2022, but preparations stalled amid continuing political disagreements.

Questions over the feasibility of the December vote remain. Electoral commission chief Abednego Akok Kacuol acknowledged that unresolved legal reforms and funding shortages continue to hinder preparations. He said the commission would continue planning while adapting to a realistic timetable if necessary.

Political tensions have also intensified in recent months. Machar, who served as vice-president under the unity government created by the 2018 peace deal, was removed from office and later arrested on charges including treason and crimes against humanity. He denies the allegations and remains under house arrest in the capital, Juba.

Meanwhile, clashes continue in parts of the country, prompting warnings from the United Nations that South Sudan could risk returning to large-scale conflict.

Despite these challenges, the presidency has insisted that Kiir remains committed to implementing the peace agreement and keeping the country on a path toward democratic elections. Government officials say preparations for dialogue among political parties are advancing and could help build consensus on election-related issues.

However, opposition groups and civil society organisations have questioned whether conditions are suitable for a credible vote. The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO), Machar’s party, has warned that campaigning in areas under its control would be unsafe, underlining the fragile security situation ahead of the planned election.

BBC News Africa with AFP, Maghrebi.org