JUBA – “Requests for external or international financing for any aspect of South Sudan’s transition need to be backed up with demonstrable proof that national financial resources are being prioritized for long overdue steps,” stated Nicholas Haysom, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), while speaking to journalists at a press conference yesterday.

he top UN official had a clear message following the extension of South Sudan’s transitional period to February 2027, and a corresponding postponement of its first elections to December 2026—that the country’s political class must invest in their own country’s future before asking others to do so.

“The only way forward is for South Sudan’s leaders to find the compromises and modes of implementation of a critical mass of the key political and operational benchmarks set out in the Revitalized Peace Agreement. They must make this latest extension count if they are to retain the trust and confidence of their people and let’s be clear – from our perspective, that clock is ticking right now,” said Mr Haysom.

SRSG Haysom acknowledged the deep frustration and fatigue evident among the South Sudanese people and warned of international concern about the political stagnation here.

From the UN’s perspective, Mr. Haysom outlined concrete efforts to create an enabling environment for free, fair and credible elections to take place, such as political forums hosted by UNMISS with key peace partners. These provide key stakeholders in South Sudan’s future at both state and national levels—political parties, civil society, women, youth, security forces, traditional leaders, and communities as a whole—opportunities to be informed, to bridge their differences, arrive at locally led collaborations to contribute to the peace process.

So far this year, UNMISS and partners have held such forums in Juba, in Yambio, in Bor, in Wau, in Rumbek, and in Bentiu. The next one is scheduled for later this month in Aweil. These are a rolling initiative because arriving at consensus requires continuous dialogue, giving people time to reflect and feel free to express their opinions without hesitation or fear, he explained, highlighting the importance of open political and civic space for all citizens at this critical time in this young nation’s history.

“We are collaborating with 200 civil society organizations across the country to build alliances and boost civic education and participation in the important task of monitoring the elections. What they’ve indicated to me in our frequent meetings is essential—the need for a united South Sudanese voice to ensure that the political space that they stand for, ultimately, represents a shared vision for a more equitable future,” stated Mr Haysom.

The SRSG also elaborated the UN’s ongoing institutional support to electoral bodies such as the National Elections Commission (NEC) and security actors, such as the National Police Service.

“Even as we speak, the UN Integrated Electoral Assistance Team are helping the National Elections Commission hold its first induction exercise for the State High Elections Committee members. This is one of many workshops we are supporting to connect the national and the subnational or state levels to build capacities across the board and introduce key concepts of effective electoral management,” he revealed, emphasizing that the upcoming polls should be used as a nation-building moment.

Apart from capacity building and training, Mr Haysom revealed that in coming months, the UN Peacekeeping mission is looking to help resolve infrastructural challenges faced by the NEC across all 10 states through its Quick Impact Projects programme. This, he said, will require a significant financial outlay. “We are looking at real, brick-and-mortar investments. We intend to start and to make a clear headway by the end of the year in building offices in all 10 states for the National Election Commission to function and for people to interact with the electoral process,” he averred.

For SRSG Haysom, impetus in constitution-making, transitional justice and security arrangements remains key, especially given the significant logistical support provided by the UN on all these fronts. “South Sudan’s leaders must be open and honest about their intentions to unify their forces because it is the only way to sustainably prevent rising subnational violence. This does not need vast amounts of funding, but it does need a common approach and effort. Additionally, decisions now on election security roles and responsibilities allow for early preparations,” he said.

It's clear that for the Head of UNMISS, the driving force behind all these tasks must be the political elite, not the UN or external peace partners.

“These aren’t ‘UN elections’ or ‘foreign elections.’ These are South Sudan’s first post-independence elections. Therefore, this latest extension should not make political leaders complacent. Instead, they must use the next four months until February 2025, when the extended period commences, to set realistic targets and achieve them,” he said, adding that the price of political inaction could manifest in a relapse to widespread violence in this already troubled country. “This is too high a price for the South Sudanese to pay,” he cautioned.

Wrapping up his in-depth briefing, SRSG Haysom urged South Sudan’s leaders to complement the UN’s proactive efforts by leading demonstrable measures to galvanize political will, take necessary decisions and allocate appropriate resources for implementing all outstanding benchmarks so that South Sudan can finally head to the polls in December 2026.

“Finding the moral courage to take decisions does not cost anything or require donor funding,” he stated unequivocally.