South Sudan votes to postpone national elections by two years

South Sudan is postponing national elections that were set for 30 June and extending the terms of President Salva Kiir and the National Assembly by two years, the government announced Friday.

The move is in line with a power-sharing proposal brokered by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and signed at the start of this month by Mr. Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar.

"Bearing in mind this agreement and the situation, and our commitment to agree and operationalize the agreement, the government found it inappropriate to continue with the elections after this," Information Minister Michael Makuei told reporters in Juba. 

"In our quest for peace, the cabinet decided to call off the elections and extend the life of the elective positions so that we give peace the chance," he said.

Source: VOA