By Deng Machol
JUBA, South Sudan — The United Kingdom has urged South Sudan’s leaders to accelerate long-delayed political reforms and steer the country toward credible elections, warning that the world’s youngest nation cannot remain trapped in an indefinite transitional period.
Speaking in Juba on Thursday, British Ambassador David Ashley emphasized that while elections are essential to allowing South Sudanese citizens to choose their leaders, the process must be carefully prepared to ensure credibility, inclusiveness, and lasting peace.
“Democracy is a process, not an event,” Ashley said, cautioning against rushed preparations that could undermine stability.
“We want to see elections because elections give South Sudanese finally an opportunity to choose their own leaders and representatives and hold them to account,” he added.
South Sudan is preparing for what would be its first general elections since gaining independence in 2011. However, major provisions of the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement remain unimplemented, including the adoption of a permanent constitution, the conduct of a national census, and the completion of critical security reforms.
Persistent political tensions, delays in institutional reforms, unresolved security arrangements, and disagreements among signatories to the peace agreement have raised serious concerns over whether the country is ready to conduct credible elections.
The National Elections Commission (NEC) has already announced that the 2026 polls will be conducted using constituency boundaries established during the 2010 elections after delays in carrying out a new national population census.
A total of 102 constituencies have been designated across South Sudan’s 10 states and three administrative areas.
The NEC is expected to publish the official election timetable on June 22, in accordance with electoral laws requiring that the calendar be released at least six months before polling day.
President Salva Kiir’s administration has maintained that elections should proceed in December 2026. However, this position remains contested by some signatories to the peace agreement, including the SPLM-IO, one of the principal parties to the accord led by suspended First Vice President Riek Machar.
Machar is currently in detention in Juba and faces treason charges before a South Sudanese court, a development that has further heightened political tensions and raised concerns among regional and international observers about the prospects for an inclusive electoral process.
Ashley warned that another extension of the transitional period without concrete progress would do little to address the country’s long-standing challenges.
“The status quo is not an option,” he said, stressing that postponements without reforms would only prolong uncertainty, while poorly prepared elections could generate new political and security risks.
The British envoy underscored that peace remains the cornerstone of South Sudan’s long-term stability and development, calling for inclusive political dialogue and full implementation of the peace agreement.
Britain, he said, remains committed to supporting South Sudan through investments in peacebuilding initiatives, humanitarian assistance, healthcare, and education programs.
Ashley concluded that lasting peace and democratic governance would depend on dialogue, accountability, and the willingness of South Sudan’s leaders to implement the key provisions of the 2018 peace agreement and place the country’s interests above political divisions.
