Oil-Rich South Sudan Plans First Vote Since Independence in 2011

South Sudan will hold presidential elections on Dec. 22, the first in the conflict-ridden country since it gained independence from Sudan more than a decade ago.

The date was decided after a meeting of the National Elections Commission on Friday in Juba, the capital, Chairman Abednego Akok said in a statement. The elected leaders will replace a transitional government that’s been in place since a 2018 peace agreement signed between President Salva Kiir and opposition groups.