South Sudan’s National Elections Commission has set December 22, 2026, as the date for the country’s first general election since independence. The announcement follows an extension of the transitional period to that date, as outlined in the 2018 revitalized peace agreement.
The commission cited the National Elections Act and the 2018 peace agreement as the legal basis for the election date. It stated that preparations, including voter registration, are to begin shortly and should take no more than one month.
The commission acknowledged unresolved legal gaps and the need for urgent government support to implement the election. It noted that voting remains the only constitutional route to political power, despite ongoing challenges.