Kiir warns election delay could reignite South Sudan war

July 12, 2024 (Juba) – South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir on Friday issued a stark warning that postponing the December 2024 elections could plunge the country back into war. Kiir dismissed calls from some internationals and the opposition to further postpone the elections, citing the 2018 restoration of the peace agreement and public sentiment.

“Some people in Europe and the United States believe that holding elections on time will reignite conflict,” Kiel said. “I assure you that no one will go to war. Postponing elections is the only way to provoke war.”

The 2018 peace agreement initially envisaged the end of the transitional government in 2023. However, due to the failure to meet key provisions, particularly security arrangements, the timetable was extended to February 2025. Nevertheless, the National Electoral Commission recently set December 22, 2024 as the date for elections, a move that was met with both hope and skepticism.

Critics, including political opponents, civil society groups and religious organizations, have expressed doubts about the feasibility of holding credible elections by the December deadline, citing logistical and economic challenges and a lack of political will to establish an independent monitoring body, combat corruption and build impartial judicial, security and military institutions.

The partisan nature of the current security forces, many of which remain untrained and out of unified command, raises concerns about their ability to ensure free, fair and credible elections.

Furthermore, democratic institutions remain weak, with limited power-sharing and accountability, and opposition leaders, civil society activists and the media face threats, intimidation and violence.

However, the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, led by President Kiir, still insisted on holding elections in December and said that the decision to hold elections was reconfirmed at the recent democratic transition strategy meeting.

Observers warn that the situation remains unstable and that South Sudan still has many obstacles to overcome before holding its first elections since independence in 2011.