Juba (Lamaane.net) - South Sudan's Transitional National Legislature on Wednesday, July 1, approved major amendments to the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement in Juba, clearing legal and procedural obstacles that had threatened to delay the country's long-awaited national elections scheduled for December 2026, parliamentary officials said.
Oliver Mori Benjamin, caretaker chairperson of the parliament’s Information Committee, said the amendments were designed to accelerate election preparations across institutions.
"The two main provisions amended concern the population census and the permanent constitution-making process. These have been deferred until after the elections and will be undertaken by the elected government," he said.
"This resolution now allows the National Elections Commission and political parties to speed up their activities in preparation for the elections," he added.
However, opposition lawmakers in the Transitional National Legislature questioned the legality of the amendments, arguing that key benchmarks under the peace agreement remain unfulfilled. The National Elections Commission has confirmed December 22, 2026, as the official polling date, setting a timeline that institutions are now working toward amid political disagreement.
The elections, repeatedly delayed since 2015, are tied to provisions of the Revitalized Peace Agreement requiring a national census, constitutional drafting process, and unified security arrangements. Officials argue that deferring census and constitution-making until after polls removes procedural bottlenecks, though critics warn that unresolved security reforms and fragmented forces could still affect implementation.
The parliamentary chamber in Juba witnessed active deliberations as lawmakers reviewed the amendments under tight procedural sessions, reflecting the political sensitivity surrounding the transition framework. Security presence around the legislative complex remained visible as discussions continued, underscoring the stakes attached to the electoral roadmap.
The amendments mark a critical institutional shift aimed at prioritizing electoral timelines over foundational state-building benchmarks. According to reporting from Lamaane News Network, the decision reflects growing pressure on transitional authorities to deliver elections amid regional and international scrutiny of the peace process’s slow implementation.
Attention now turns to voter registration, voter roll publication, and logistical readiness, which officials say could be completed within months if implementation proceeds without disruption. The credibility of the December 2026 vote is expected to depend on progress in security coordination and sustained political consensus among signatories to the peace agreement.
