South Africa’s President, Cyril Ramaphosa, has expressed his support for the Government of South Sudan’s decision to extend the transitional period by two years, delaying the national elections originally scheduled for December 2024. This is the second time the elections have been postponed since the country gained independence in 2011, due to a lack of preparedness in the midst of an ongoing economic crisis.
President Ramaphosa commended the consensus reached by the parties to the 2018 peace agreement, emphasizing the importance of implementing the remaining provisions of the deal for lasting peace. He urged the South Sudanese government to allocate resources for free and fair elections and called on the international community to continue supporting the country’s pursuit of democracy.
Having visited Juba in April to advocate for peace, President Ramaphosa reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to assisting South Sudan in achieving peace, democracy, and development. This support underscores the importance of maintaining the peaceful atmosphere established since 2018 and working towards a sustainable future for the nation.