South Sudan delays first national elections to February

South Sudan postponed its first national elections from December 22 to February 11, the electoral commission said Saturday, amid growing ethnic and political violence.

The commission issued a new calendar on social media saying results would be announced four days after the new voting date. Commission secretary general Ahon Malou Lueth confirmed the change but did not give a reason or further details.

The announcement came on the day voter registration was due to start, with more than 3,100 centres set up across the country. Officials said not all necessary equipment had arrived at the centres.

The United Nations had warned that holding a vote could set off widespread conflict. The UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan has pointed to the displacement of tens of thousands of people, deadly battles and disruption to international humanitarian operations. In October, it said an election could spark renewed conflict.

President Salva Kiir's government forces and followers of detained former vice president Riek Machar have been involved in escalating deadly confrontations in recent months. Other ethnic tensions and cattle-rustling battles have also added to insecurity.

South Sudan became independent from Sudan in 2011. Forces loyal to Kiir and Machar fought a civil war from 2013 to 2018 that killed at least 400,000 people. Machar has been under house arrest since March 2025, accused of crimes against humanity.