South Sudan

The United States, the United Kingdom and Norway expressed "deep concern" on Saturday at the announcement of a two-year delay in elections in South Sudan, terming the extension of a transitional government a "failure." … Earlier this week, the United Nations expressed "regret and disappointment" at the delay.

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Nicholas Haysom said the United Nations stands ready to support the transitional process in South Sudan. … “I emphasize that the Transitional Government and the South Sudanese political class must take responsibility for the failures of the past two years,” Haysom stated.

Sudan and South Sudan unveiled a joint security plan on Saturday aimed at ensuring the uninterrupted flow of oil to international markets, a crucial lifeline for both nations’ economies.

South Sudan's parties to the 2018 peace agreement have extended the transitional period by another two years, delaying the country’s first anticipated democratic elections that had been scheduled for this December.

[…] Since Kenya launched the talks between Kiir’s government and exiled opposition leaders in Nairobi in May, negotiations have focused on rebooting the 2018 deal, extending the deadline for its implementation and greenlighting a delay in the polls. ­ In this Q&A, Crisis Group expert Daniel Akech assesses how the talks are progressing.

South Sudan is seeking funding from the Chinese government to build an alternate pipeline through the port of Djibouti from Ethiopia. South Sudan President Salva Kiir, at a meeting with senior Chinese officials, said an alternative pipeline is needed following the halt in oil flow due to conflict in neighbouring Sudan.

South Sudanese and Kenyan civil society groups want Juba's planned December 2024 elections delayed until all measures are in place to allow credible polling.

South Sudan’s electoral commission has outlined conditions for holding elections, dampening expectations after an earlier indication that polls could take place in December. … Kacuol stated that elections would only be possible if the Elections Act is amended by parliament or if sufficient resources are made available to carry out the necessary activities within the established timeline.

The UN continues to support an enabling environment for general elections in South Sudan, but the date remains elusive, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for the country told the Security Council on Wednesday.

[…] With five months remaining before elections in December 2024, limited progress has been made on implementing key benchmarks for elections as set out in the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan.