President Salva Kiir Mayardit travelled to South Africa on Sunday for talks with his counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa, focusing on preparations for South Sudan’s planned December elections and implementation of the 2018 peace agreement, his office said.
Kiir’s visit comes as South Sudan prepares for elections scheduled for Dec. 22, 2026, after repeated delays. Presidential press secretary Arek Aldo Ajou said Kiir would discuss progress on the electoral process, implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan and amendments to the 2018 peace deal.
“The President will also brief his counterpart on the progress being made in the country and exchange views on the political and electoral process, as well as the importance of maintaining peace, stability and national unity in South Sudan as we move towards the polls,” Ajou said.
Kiir will also follow up on agreements and understandings reached during his previous visit to South Africa, assess progress on those commitments and discuss areas requiring further attention, Ajou said.
The visit demonstrates the “strong and long-standing relationship” between South Sudan and South Africa and the importance of continued engagement with regional partners, he added.
Medical speculation
Kiir’s departure prompted speculation on social media that the 74-year-old president had travelled to South Africa for medical treatment. His office did not cite medical treatment as a reason for Sunday’s visit.
During Kiir’s previous visit to South Africa in March, however, his family said he had received successful medical treatment. Following his return to Juba, the family held thanksgiving prayers at his official residence in Amarat.
First Lady Mary Ayen Mayardit organised the ceremony to honour Kiir following what the family described as his bilateral visit and successful medical treatment in South Africa.
March visit
Sunday’s trip is Kiir’s second visit to South Africa this year.
In March, Kiir travelled to South Africa for talks with Ramaphosa, according to his office. He left Juba on March 14 and returned on March 22, spending eight days in the country.
During the visit, Kiir held talks with Ramaphosa and later met South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile, Pretoria’s special envoy on South Sudan.
Separately, Presidential Affairs Minister Africano Mande met South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, to discuss bilateral cooperation and follow up on the C5+ meeting held in February on the sidelines of the African Union summit in Addis Ababa.
December Elections
South Sudan has repeatedly postponed national elections since gaining independence in 2011. The government has maintained that the next vote will take place on Dec. 22, 2026.
The planned election has drawn criticism from opposition groups and other international actors, who have questioned whether conditions are in place for credible and peaceful polls.
Concerns include unresolved provisions of the 2018 peace agreement, political and civic restrictions, incomplete security-sector reforms and the readiness of electoral institutions.
Kiir was elected president in 2010, while parliamentary elections were also held that year, before South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011. The planned 2026 election would therefore be the country’s first national vote since independence.
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