Africa-Press. The United States has sharply criticized the political situation in South Sudan, threatening to withhold funding for the upcoming elections scheduled for December 2026, amid a lack of inclusive political dialogue and ongoing security tensions.
During a session of the Security Council, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations expressed concern about the trajectory of the political process, questioning the possibility of organizing “free and fair” elections under the current circumstances. He emphasized that any electoral process requires the release of political prisoners and engagement in serious dialogue with opposition forces.
This stance comes as South Sudan prepares to hold its first elections since gaining independence in 2011, yet the country continues to grapple with a long legacy of armed conflict.
In recent weeks, there has been an escalation in clashes between government forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and opposition militias linked to Vice President Riek Machar, who has been suspended from his duties and placed under house arrest for a year.
Despite the authorities in Juba announcing in late April their commitment to hold elections on schedule, Washington has set forth a series of preconditions, arguing that the absence of effective political leadership due to arrests or restrictions undermines any chance of conducting a credible electoral process.
The U.S. has also criticized what it described as a “lack of preparations,” stressing that foreign taxpayers will not fund a process for which the government does not take responsibility.
Researcher Emmanuel Foie believes that the U.S. move aims to exert direct pressure on the Juba government to implement the terms of the peace agreement signed in 2018, which stipulates conducting a new population census, drafting a constitution, and adopting an electoral law—requirements that have yet to be fulfilled.
Regarding the implications of this threat, observers do not rule out that the South Sudanese government may seek alternative international partners to fund the elections or proceed with organizing a limited vote lacking political consensus, which could exacerbate the fragility of the situation and increase the likelihood of slipping into broader conflict.
A European Union official has raised doubts about the possibility of holding historic elections in South Sudan next December, given the convergence of several factors that weaken this prospect.
The EU Ambassador to Juba warned that the current political uncertainty, insecurity, and technical shortcomings continue to pose significant challenges to conducting these postponed elections, which involve the world’s newest independent state.
He noted that the absence of political consensus and insufficient preparations just seven months before the scheduled elections create an unfavorable environment for conducting free, fair, and credible elections.
He emphasized the necessity of achieving peace before holding elections in a country still suffering from the aftermath of renewed conflict last year.
Nevertheless, it appears that President Kiir’s government is moving forward with preparations for this historic event, urging relevant financial institutions to disburse the necessary funds to support the electoral process in the country.
On Monday, a meeting was held with members of the committee tasked with coordinating dialogue among parties, emphasizing that timely disbursement of funds is crucial to ensure the smooth conduct of the electoral process. The meeting was attended by the Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Minister of Interior.
The Minister of Cabinet Affairs stated that the focus is on maintaining fruitful dialogue among political parties to reach an agreement and ensure a peaceful environment before the elections.
He noted that the committee has already prepared a clear plan to guide the process, adding that dialogue among parties should ensure that the elections are led by stakeholders from South Sudan with support from the international community. He stated that enhancing unity will enable the country to determine its own path both internally and externally.
The Minister of Interior emphasized the role of the police and the security sector in ensuring the safety and security of the elections and conducting them peacefully. The committee later presented a budget to President Kiir to support the work of electoral institutions, and he instructed officials to proceed with efforts to mobilize the necessary resources.
In light of this development, the committee is preparing to engage with financial institutions to facilitate the timely provision of funds for conducting fair and organized elections.
