By Lodu William Odiya
President Salva Kiir Mayardit has assented to the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan, 2011 (as amended) (No. 13) Act, 2026, marking a major constitutional and political milestone and clearing the legal pathway for the country’s December 22, 2026, general elections.
In a statement that was released on Wednesday, the assent was granted during a constitutional ceremony convened in accordance with the Transitional Constitution, following the passage of the amendment by the Transitional National Legislative Assembly.
“The amendment is significant because it delinks the conduct of national elections from the completion of the permanent constitution-making process and the National Population and Housing Census,” the statement partly read.
According to the statement, the assent removes key legal obstacles and enables the people of South Sudan to exercise their sovereign right to elect the leaders and government of their choice.
“Today’s milestone follows a broader political and legal process that began with the 10 December 2025 meeting of the Expanded Presidency and political party leaders, where consensus was reached on the need to proceed with elections and activate the relevant provisions of the revitalised peace agreement,” the statement continued.
The process subsequently passed through Cabinet, R-JMEC, and the Transitional National Legislative Assembly.
They underscored that the related amendment to the peace agreement was assented to by President Kiir on 22 July 2026, triggering the need to align the country’s domestic constitutional and electoral framework.
The Constitutional Amendment was subsequently developed, considered by the Cabinet, passed through the required legislative stages, and approved by the Transitional National Legislative Assembly on 1 September 2026, before being submitted to the President for assent.
“H.E. President Salva Kiir’s assent today, therefore, marks the culmination of a South Sudanese-led political, constitutional, and legislative process,” the statement added.
It demonstrates that national institutions and political actors have taken ownership of the country’s political transition and have worked through established mechanisms to remove the legal barriers to elections.
With this constitutional milestone achieved, South Sudan now moves further into the practical preparations for the December 22, 2026 elections, providing the people with the opportunity to determine their political leadership through the ballot.