JUBA, AUGUST 7, 2026 – His Excellency, President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Friday chaired the Council of Ministers’ Regular Meeting No. 12/2026, during which Cabinet approved the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan (Amendment No. 13) Bill, 2026, a landmark legal reform designed to facilitate the conduct of the December 2026 general elections.

The Council also confirmed and adopted the resolutions of its Regular Meeting No. 11/2026, held on July 24, 2026, before considering a number of ministerial memoranda.

Presenting the first memorandum, the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Dr. Wek Mamer Kuol, sought Cabinet approval of the proposed constitutional amendment bill following the invocation of Article 8.4 of the Revitalized Agreement, which provides for legislative action to facilitate the electoral process. Cabinet said the approval removes a major legal hurdle and establishes the constitutional basis for holding the country’s scheduled elections.

Dr. Wek explained that the current Transitional Constitution, 2011 (as amended), provides that elections shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the permanent constitution.

The amendments identify constitutional provisions requiring revision to establish the legal framework necessary for South Sudan to proceed with the December 2026 elections under the amended Transitional Constitution while allowing the permanent constitution-making process to continue independently.

Among the key amendments, the revised preamble provides that, upon enactment, the amended Transitional Constitution shall serve as the supreme law under which the December 2026 elections will be conducted. The amendments also revised the applicable articles that will expressly mandate the de-linking of elections from the permanent constitution-making process and pave way for the conduct of the national population and housing census after the elections.

Following deliberations, the Council of Ministers unanimously approved the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan (Amendment) (No. 13) Bill, 2026. The Bill will now be forwarded to the Transitional National Legislative Assembly for debate and approval before being submitted to the President for assent.

Cabinet also considered two memoranda presented by the Minister of East African Community Affairs. The first reviewed South Sudan’s progress in regional integration, ten years after the country acceded to the East African Community in 2016.

Following discussions, the Council directed the Ministry of Finance and Planning to settle South Sudan’s outstanding membership contributions to the East African Community. Cabinet also endorsed the election of South Sudan’s representatives to the East African Legislative Assembly from within the Transitional National Legislative Assembly.

The second memorandum focused on regional cooperation in defence, interstate security and foreign affairs, as well as South Sudan’s bilateral relations with Kenya. Cabinet further discussed ongoing infrastructure cooperation between the two countries.

Friday’s Cabinet decisions underscore the Government’s commitment to addressing the legal, institutional and financial requirements necessary to advance South Sudan’s political transition and ensure the successful conduct of peaceful, credible and democratic elections in December 2026.

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This article is based on official sources. Additional context and analysis provided by Juba Global News Network.

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