The head of the U.N. mission in South Sudan said the country is "not yet ready" to hold its first presidential election in the coming year.

Nicholas Haysom, head of UNMISS, during a meeting of The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission, said he shared "frank views" expressed by some government officials, political parties, and civil society that the country was "at this point not ready" for "free, fair and credible elections."

The mission head cited the lack of a reconstituted electoral body and a political parties council as reasons for skepticism.

The presidential election is viewed as a culmination of the peace agreement signed nearly five years ago to pull the world’s youngest nation out of fighting that killed some 400,000 people.

Haysom said "a conducive political and security environment is non-negotiable" for a free election.

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"South Sudan can however make significant strides towards this December 2024 target with political will, adequate resourcing, and a commitment to create an appropriate political environment," he said.

President Salva Kiir and his rival turned Vice President Riek Machar were at loggerheads in recent days over the sacking of the defense and interior ministers. The peace agreement signed in 2018 stated that Kiir was to appoint the interior minister while Machar was to appoint the defense minister. But the president has unilaterally fired both ministers.

In addition, the country is yet to deploy its unified defense forces, made of former rival groups, an integral part of the agreement. The government says deployment is delayed due to lack of funds, but critics say it is due to a lack of political goodwill.

"Time is of the essence as key components of the Transitional Security Arrangements remain behind schedule," Haysom said.

Kiir on Tuesday said his country’s long-delayed elections will take place in 2024 and has thrown his hat in the ring. He is expected to face off with Machar, who is yet to confirm his candidacy.

The opposition has accused the government of lacking the political will to hold elections, but Kiir said he was committed to free and fair elections.

Machine Gun Kelly gave one fan at his Belgium concert the gift of a lifetime: a punch to the face. 

While performing at the 2023 Rock Werchter festival this past weekend, the rapper noticed a fan holding a bizarre sign, which read, "I just came from Mexico 4 U 2 punch me in the face."

In video shared to his social media, Kelly showed the entire incident, previously captioned, "Why do you want me to punch you in the face, so bad?" he asked.

"I love you," the fan said.

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"I got rings on dude, that s---'s gonna hurt," Megan Fox's beau explained, before telling the fan he would consider doing it.

"It's a lose-lose for me."

The video then cut to Kelly's performance of his hit "my ex's best friend." 

No longer elevated on the platform where he performs, Kelly walked toward the fan in the front row and examined the peculiar sign, and then looked directly at a camera. Promptly, but playfully, Kelly decked the fan, much to his glee. The rapper was rewarded with a double thumbs up.

"I love you," he yelled to the fan while retreating back to the stage.

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"Making dreams come true," Kelly captioned the post with a thumbs up emoji.

Fans had mixed reactions in the comments section, with some expressing concern that the rapper would later be sued.

"Lawsuit gets filed the next day and homeboy buys Mexico," one user wrote.

"I like how he made sure to turn the written request to the camera in case he sues," another pointed out.

"Ew Why cant people just be normal," another person asked.

"God, i wish that was me," one fan lamented.

A user claiming to be the punched fan also expressed his appreciation for MGK on Instagram, clarifying the nature of the request.

"Thank you very much for making my dream come true," Marcos Cid de la Paz commented in part. "I do not lie when I tell you that I love you and that I can feel deep in my heart the lyrics of your songs. I waited so long to see you, and I still cannot believe this happened. It's not a kink or something like that (I read comments mentioning that lol). You know, I've hurt myself sometimes, and I really hope this wasn't too scary for you."

This move by MGK flips the latest trend of fans injuring performers on its head.

Last month, Bebe Rexha sought medical attention after she was hit in the face with a cell phone. The fan accused of throwing the phone was later arrested. Rexha ended up with a bruised face and stiches.

Kelsea Ballerini was also hit in the face during a concert – a fan threw a bracelet which hit Ballerini in the eye. The country star left the stage, only to return later. She explained that she had not been hurt, just was frightened by the ordeal.

Pink did not experience any physical violence, but was also faced with a fan using a nonconventional way to get noticed by the star. While performing overseas, a fan threw their mother's ashes onstage, much to the singer's shock and general confusion.