The United Nations has expressed its “regret and disappointment” over South Sudan’s decision to delay its first-ever elections for another two years.
The world’s newest nation, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011, has been plagued by a civil war that killed some 400,000 people. A peace deal in 2018 brought together President Salva Kiir and his rival, Vice President Riek Machar, but their feuding has repeatedly delayed efforts to write a constitution and hold elections.
Last week, Kiir’s office announced that the planned December elections would be postponed for another two years.International supporters have grown increasingly frustrated with the delays.
“Two years ago, we were in a similar situation and gave our support specifically under the condition that there would be no more extensions,” said UN special representative Nicholas Haysom in a statement. “Today, it is sadly evident that the country is not ready for elections that we could confidently expect to generate a credible and peaceful outcome.”
Haysom said South Sudan’s leaders had only achieved one of ten priority areas laid out by international bodies last year to prepare for the vote. “Urgency rather than a pause is required,” he said. “The South Sudanese political class must take responsibility for the failures of the past two years.”
South Sudan has battled flooding, hunger, and violence, while its leaders have appeared reluctant to risk going to the polls and are accused of massive corruption. Earlier this month, the UN’s humanitarian agency warned that more than 700,000 people had been impacted by flooding, with aid failing to meet many in need.
South Sudan boasts plentiful oil resources, but this vital source of revenue was decimated in February when an export pipeline was damaged in war-torn Sudan.