South Sudan has postponed its first national elections from December 2026 to February 2027, as escalating political tensions, ethnic violence and deadly confrontations continue to threaten stability in the world's youngest nation.
The presidential and parliamentary elections, initially scheduled for December 22 after several previous delays, will now take place on February 11, 2027, according to a revised timetable released by the country's electoral commission on Saturday. Election results are expected to be announced four days after voting.
The commission's Secretary-General, Ahon Malou Lueth, confirmed the postponement to AFP but declined to disclose the reasons behind the decision or provide further details.
The development comes amid growing confrontations between government forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and supporters of detained former Vice President Riek Machar, with tensions between the rival political camps escalating into deadly clashes in recent months.
The country's security challenges have also been worsened by ethnic rivalries and recurring violence over cattle rustling, further complicating efforts to organise a nationwide electoral exercise.
South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011 but plunged into a brutal civil war in 2013 following a political power struggle between Kiir and Machar. The conflict, which lasted until 2018, left at least 400,000 people dead.
Machar has been under house arrest since March 2025 after being accused of crimes against humanity.
The latest postponement was announced on the day voter registration was expected to begin, despite the establishment of more than 3,100 registration centres across the country. Electoral officials, however, disclosed that some centres had yet to receive all the equipment required to commence registration.
The United Nations Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan has repeatedly warned about the deteriorating situation in the country, citing the displacement of tens of thousands of people, deadly armed confrontations and disruptions to international humanitarian operations.
The commission has cautioned that the growing tensions heighten the risk of renewed conflict and atrocity crimes. In October, it also warned that conducting elections under the prevailing circumstances could trigger another outbreak of violence.
With the latest postponement, questions remain over South Sudan's readiness to organise its first national elections after years of political uncertainty and violent conflict, as international concerns mount over the country's fragile peace and security situation.
