By Philip Buda Ladu
As the anxiety of ending the transitional period through democratic elections this December was quelled with the postponement of polls until 2026, President Salva Kiir Mayardit has evoked the situation saying 24 months is not far from now.
“I want to remind all those who are interested in contesting in the elections that 24 months is not a big thing. If you are not prepared, you better start preparing yourself,” he reminded aspiring candidates.
Speaking during the opening of the 8th Governors Forum which kick-started in Juba on Tuesday, the endorsed SPLM sole candidate for the postponed elections alerts potential contestants to prepare in ahead of time.
The head of state noted that the Governors Forum is a platform which represents a collective will and determination to engage in meaningful dialogue and deliberate on challenges facing the country.
Kiir emphasized that’s resolve is evidenced by this year’s theme; Forging Sustainable Peace: Committed Action in the Extended R-ARCSS transition, adding that they have a shared dedication to achieving sustainable peace.
“Honorable Governors, our collective determination to achieve durable peace led to postponement of the elections and consequent extension of the revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity for another 24 months,” he told the forum.
The president however reawaken the ceased elections mood and thoughts in the minds of the political leaders in the country willing to contest, emphasizing that it’s not long before the December 2026 deadline arrives.
In August, the presidency extended the transitional period by two years, this extension means that the national elections, originally scheduled for December 22, 2024, have also been postponed.
The postponement is intended to provide time and space for the implementation of the remaining provisions of the 2018 Revitalised Agreement to the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).