South Sudan is preparing to enter a caretaker phase around October 2026 as it moves towards general elections scheduled for December, with authorities firmly rejecting any extension of the transitional period.
Information Minister Ateny Wek Ateny stated that the timeline agreed by President Salva Kiir and the Council of Ministers remains intact, dismissing claims of a mandate extension. The proposed caretaker arrangement would limit government functions largely to overseeing the electoral process in the final months before the vote.
Tuesday’s clarification follows confusion over recent cabinet decisions linked to proposed amendments to the 2018 peace agreement, which seek to remove requirements for a national census and permanent constitution before elections—long-standing hurdles in the transition.
While the Government insists elections will proceed as planned, concerns persist over credibility, given incomplete reforms, fragile security—particularly in parts of Jonglei—and unresolved political tensions.
Authorities maintain that funding will be secured through oil revenues and domestic sources, but analysts caution that successful polls will depend on broader political consensus, stability and public trust.