South Sudan cancels 2018 peace deal, clearing way for December elections

South Sudan President Salva Kiir.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir.

Photo credit: File | AFP

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit signed an amendment to the 2018 peace agreement, effectively cancelling the coalition government that had brought relative peace to the country for seven years.

The move, however, clears the legal path for national elections scheduled for December 2026, by dodging crucial implementation pillars of the 2018 deal, which had included security reforms, census and a voters’ roll.