PLP’s Peter Mayen accepts caretaker post, rules out December presidential bid

People’s Liberal Party leader Peter Mayen has accepted his appointment as caretaker Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management and says he will not contest the December 2026 presidential election, citing recent family losses and saying he is not emotionally prepared for the race.

Mayen had previously announced his intention to contest the presidency. But following his appointment, he says he has decided not to run, even though the presidential decree appointing caretaker officials also bars them from contesting elective positions in the upcoming elections.

In an interview with Eye Radio on Tuesday, Mayen said his decision not to contest is primarily linked to his family circumstances and that he would have made the same decision even if he had not been appointed to the caretaker government.

“I’m also not emotionally stable to take any role for the upcoming elections. I have lost family members, including prominent elders within our family, and that has put me to not a suitable position to contest for anything,” Mayen said.

He added: “I’m not going to stand and I’m not going to contest because I’m not in position for now due to family issues.”

Mayen compared his situation to that of U.S. President Joe Biden when he served as vice president under Barack Obama, saying personal and family circumstances can affect a decision to seek higher office.

“I find myself in the same situation similar to President Biden. At a time when he worked with Obama as a vice president, the public was expecting him to aspire for the presidency of the United States, but unfortunately they couldn’t make it because of personal issues and family issues,” Mayen said.

Mr. Mayen said he had accepted the ministerial appointment and was ready to serve in the caretaker government.

“My position, I’ve accepted the assignment, and I’m willing to take on as caretaker Minister of Humanitarian Affairs,” he said.

He said his role would include addressing humanitarian issues and contributing to a smooth transition to the next elected government.

Mr. Mayen also addressed the implications of his decision for the People’s Liberal Party, which he leads. He said the party’s last convention nominated him as its presidential candidate and that no other candidate had since been nominated or approved.

He said his decision not to contest the December election does not mean he is abandoning politics, indicating that he could seek elective office in the future.

“So I will contest any time in future, but not coming down December 26th,” he said.

Mr. Mayen also called for South Sudanese politics to focus more on policies than individual politicians. “South Sudan is just bigger than individual names,” he said.

South Sudan is scheduled to hold general elections on 22 December 2026, with the next elected government expected to take office in February 2027.