UN Condemns Extension of South Sudan’s Transition to 2027 Amid Stalled Reforms

 

In an unexpected turn of events, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has endorsed the extension of South Sudan’s transitional period until February 2027. Nicholas Haysom, head of UNMISS, expressed disappointment during a meeting of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission in Juba, stating that the country is not yet prepared to hold peaceful and credible elections. While the UN supports the extension, Haysom noted the extension comes with “regret and disappointment,” recalling that a similar extension two years ago was granted with the understanding that further delays would be avoided.

The extension comes amid several unresolved challenges in South Sudan, including the slow progress of the peace process, economic hardship, and severe flooding that has compounded the country’s recovery efforts. Many key objectives outlined in the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement remain unmet, frustrating both local and international stakeholders. Prosper Addo, Senior Political Officer of the African Union Mission in South Sudan, remarked that the extension is necessary given the country’s ongoing socio-economic struggles and inadequate preparations by the election commission and security sector.

Despite the extension, Haysom and Addo both stressed that it should not be wasted. Haysom urged South Sudanese leaders to prioritize the nation’s future, implement constitutional reforms, and engage with non-signatory parties to build inclusive peace. He called for urgent action to restore public trust, create space for political participation, and ensure the long-overdue elections take place, emphasizing the need to break the cycle of continuous delays and secure sustainable peace. The extension has now placed additional pressure on South Sudan’s leadership to deliver meaningful reforms.