South Sudan’s parliament on Wednesday passed controversial amendments to the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement, removing key preconditions for elections — including a population census and the drafting of a permanent constitution — despite strong objections from opposition lawmakers.
The National Legislature voted to defer both requirements until after the polls scheduled for December 22, 2026.
Parliamentary officials say the changes eliminate major legal hurdles and will accelerate preparations for the country’s first national elections since independence in 2011.
Oliver Mori Benjamin, caretaker chairperson of parliament’s Information Committee, said the amendments focus on the two most time-consuming provisions.
“The two main provisions amended concern the population census and the permanent constitution making process. These two have been deferred until after the elections and will be undertaken by the elected government.”
Mori added that removing these obstacles allows the National Elections Commission and political parties to fast-track voter registration and other remaining processes, which could be completed within two to three months.
Parliament preserved parts of the peace agreement that give it supremacy over conflicting national laws, following international pressure to maintain the accord’s legal foundation.
Opposition lawmaker Bol Joseph Agau of the National Democratic Movement challenged the amendments’ legality, arguing that parliament failed to follow the procedures outlined in the peace agreement and the transitional constitution.
He said changes should first be initiated by signatory parties, endorsed by the Council of Ministers and the Joint Monitoring Commission, before parliamentary ratification.
Deputy Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Joseph Malek defended the move, asserting South Sudan’s sovereign right to proceed with elections.
“The agreement belongs to the South Sudanese parties. It cannot stop our will if we decide to go for elections.”
The amendments come as political activity intensifies ahead of the polls.
On Tuesday, the Political Parties Council registered five additional parties, bringing the total number of legally recognised parties to 36.
While President Salva Kiir’s government insists the elections will go ahead as planned, opposition groups — including the SPLM-IO faction led by detained First Vice President Riek Machar — warn that critical benchmarks such as security sector reforms and unification of forces remain incomplete, raising fears over the credibility of the vote.