(Front Row, L-R) Peter Mayen Majongdit of the Other Political Parties (OPP) coalition; Dr. Martin Elia Lomuro, Minister of Cabinet Affairs; and Agok Makur Kur, Interim Secretary-General of the SPLM-IO (Par Faction), address the press on Wednesday, December 17, 2025.(Photo: Courtesy of the Office of the President)

JUBA, South Sudan (Eye Radio) — The Presidency and political party leaders unanimously approved urgent changes to the 2018 Peace Agreement. This move clears the path for a democratic transition and the 2026 elections.

The decision, finalized during a special session of the Expanded Presidency on Wednesday, December 17, is designed to remove legal and structural bottlenecks that have long stalled the nation’s electoral roadmap.

Minister Martin Elia Lomuro told the press on Wednesday, December 17, that although leaders have the “political will” for these changes, they still need to pass through several government offices to become law.

He stated that the approval follows a communiqué drafted during last week’s Presidency meeting, which identified several key provisions in the peace accord that currently inhibit the electoral process.

According to the statement endorsing these amendments, the government aims to create a viable legal framework for the country to hold its first-ever democratic elections since independence.

Dr. Lomuro outlined the specific steps required to formalize these amendments:

1. Council of Ministers: The drafts will first be tabled for ministerial review.

2. R-JMEC: The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission must evaluate the changes to ensure they align with the spirit of the peace deal.

3. National Legislative Assembly: Finally, the amendments will be presented to Parliament for final debate and legislative approval.

According to the statement published by the Office of the President, during the deliberations, both the Presidency and the signatory political parties reaffirmed their commitment to conducting national elections next year.

Leaders described the upcoming polls as a “crucial element” in fostering national stability and creating an environment conducive to development and economic prosperity.

“If approved by the relevant institutions, these amendments are expected to overcome long-existing challenges and put the nation on the right track,” the statement stated.