South Sudan delays national vote to February 2027
South Sudan's National Election Commission has moved the country's first national presidential and legislative elections to 11 February 2027, from 22 December 2026. Final results are due on 15 February and will be published on 16 February. Voter registration runs from 14 to 28 November at 3,161 centres in ten states and three administrative areas. The commission gave no reason for the change, which is the third postponement after delays in 2022 and 2024. The United Nations has warned that holding the vote could trigger widespread conflict.
Key facts
- The new timetable also sets dates for candidate nominations and campaigning.
- About 90 % of the population lacks state-recognised identification, according to the World Bank.
- Machar faces treason charges and is under house arrest.
- The civil war between 2013 and 2018 caused more than 400,000 deaths.
- A 2018 agreement formally ended the five-year conflict.
Summarised with AI from 5 sources · Updated 22:41Read our AI policy
Why it matters
The delay bears on a fragile peace deal and a long-stalled transition to elected government.
What changed
Summary updated
First published from Africanews, The Straits Times, The Hindu, Anadolu Agency and Al Jazeera English