President of South Sudan Salva Kiir promised on Tuesday that the postponed elections scheduled for next year will go as scheduled and that he would compete for office.
"I welcome the endorsement to run for presidency in 2024," the president said. "We are committed to implement the chapters in the revitalized peace agreement as stated and the election will take place in 2024."
Kiir made the statements while addressing supporters of his ruling Sudan People's Liberation Movement party (SPLM) and characterized the planned elections as a "historic event".
Although no other person has announced their candidacy yet, Riek Machar, the president's historic rival, is anticipated to run, reports say.
The elections, which have been postponed to December 2024, are supposed to mark the end of the country's transition phase.
Since he led the country to independence from Sudan in 2011, Kiir, a towering rebel leader, has served as the country's sole president.