Nicholas Haysom updated ambassadors on developments in the world’s youngest country, which was due to hold its first-ever general elections next month.

Since his last briefing in August, the transitional period was extended until February 2027, pushing back the timetable for the vote to December 2026.

“This was inevitable but a regrettable development given the deep frustration and fatigue felt by the South Sudanese people at the apparent political paralysis and inaction of their leaders to implement the peace agreement and deliver the long awaited democratic transition,” he said.

Steps towards peace

South Sudan gained independence in 2011 but two years later, fighting broke out between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and his rival, Vice-President Riek Machar, which left killed hundreds of thousands dead. The 2018 peace deal, known as the Revitalized Agreement, ended the war.

In September, the parties announced that the elections would be postponed to December 2026, and the transition period agreed under the accord would be extended by another two years to February 2027