South Sudan President Salva Kiir Returns from AU Summit, Affirms December 2026 Elections

By Debora Akur Chol, South Sudan 

President Salva Kiir Mayardit has returned to Juba following his participation in the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union Heads of State and Government Summit held in Addis Ababa, where South Sudan’s peace process and the roadmap toward national elections were key points on the agenda.

The President was received at Juba International Airport by Vice President for the Infrastructure Cluster Taban Deng Gai, alongside senior government officials.

According to Foreign Affairs Minister Semaya Kumba, President Kiir held a series of high-level bilateral engagements on the sidelines of the summit, aimed at strengthening strategic partnerships and reinforcing regional cooperation.

During the meeting of the African Union High-Level Ad Hoc Committee for South Sudan, commonly known as the C5, President Kiir presented an update on the country’s political landscape and ongoing preparations for general elections slated for December 2026.

He reaffirmed that there will be no further extension of the transitional period, emphasizing that the upcoming vote will offer the people of South Sudan an opportunity to choose their leaders through a democratic process.

South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation since gaining independence in 2011, is preparing for its first elections since the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement brought an end to a five-year civil conflict that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and displaced millions.

Chairing the C5 Plus meeting, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa underscored that the decisions taken in the coming months will be decisive in determining whether South Sudan consolidates durable peace or risks renewed instability.

Addressing regional leaders at the summit, President Ramaphosa reaffirmed the African Union’s commitment to supporting South Sudan’s transition toward peace, stability and democratic governance. He stressed the importance of credible, inclusive and peaceful elections as a cornerstone for lasting national unity.

The summit convened amid growing concerns over delays in the implementation of key provisions of the 2018 peace agreement, including security sector reforms, the drafting of a permanent constitution and the unification of armed forces. Analysts note that tangible progress in these areas remains critical to safeguarding the country’s hard-won peace.

“The path chosen now,” President Ramaphosa stated, “will shape the future of South Sudan for g

enerations to come.”