MOSCOW, August 24 (HS/RIA Novosti) - Russia is supporting South Sudan in preparing for the first general elections in the history of the world's youngest state, Russian Ambassador to South Sudan Alexander Kosmodemyansky told RIA Novosti.

The first general elections in South Sudan are scheduled for December 22, 2026. They were originally scheduled to take place in 2015, but were postponed several times due to the civil war and the extension of the transition period.

The Russian Federation is providing support in the organization, preparation, and implementation of the first general elections in South Sudan's history, scheduled for December 22 of this year, the ambassador said.

According to the diplomat, three employees of South Sudan's National Electoral Commission completed short-term training through the Russian Central Election Commission in May of this year. Russian specialists demonstrated modern voting technologies to them.

The issue of sending Russian observers will be considered in accordance with the official invitations from the South Sudanese side and established procedures, the ambassador said.

As Kosmodemyansky noted, Russia is closely monitoring the developments in South Sudan and hopes that its political forces will adhere to peaceful methods of interaction, exercise restraint, and resolve any disputes that arise solely through political means.

South Sudan is considered the youngest state in the world; it declared its independence on July 9, 2011. Russia was one of the first countries to recognize South Sudan.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar