The Office of the President has called on political leaders, political parties, civil society, the media and citizens to conduct the debate surrounding South Sudan’s planned December 2026 elections peacefully and responsibly, warning against allowing political disagreements to deepen divisions or push the country back into prolonged uncertainty.
In a press statement issued on Sunday, the Presidency said South Sudan could not afford to remain trapped in a cycle of election postponements and political uncertainty, describing the December polls as an opportunity to return political choice to citizens through the ballot box.
The statement urged all political actors to use peaceful political engagement rather than inflammatory rhetoric as the country moves closer to the elections.
“The country cannot remain trapped in cycles of postponement and uncertainty,” the Office of the President said, describing the December elections as an opportunity to return political choice to the people.
The call comes as political parties and other stakeholders increasingly turn their attention to the December elections, with debates over the electoral process expected to intensify as the country approaches the polls.
The Presidency said criticism of government and participation in national debate are legitimate, but argued that political discussions should be based on facts, consistency and respect for the country’s history and institutions.
It specifically called on political leaders, civil society organizations and the media to ensure that electoral discussions do not become a source of further political tension.
The statement said those seeking leadership should be allowed to present their political programmes, while those seeking change should offer alternatives to voters.
The Presidency’s strongest message focused on the need to avoid another round of election delays.
South Sudan has previously postponed its planned elections, extending the transitional arrangements and prolonging political uncertainty.
The Office of the President said the country had endured years of conflict, displacement and political uncertainty and argued that citizens should now be given an opportunity to determine their political future through elections.
The December polls, according to the statement, should therefore be viewed as an important opportunity to move beyond repeated postponements and strengthen the country’s democratic process.
The Presidency said political competition should be settled through political organization, persuasion and ultimately the ballot box.
It called on competing political forces to present their cases to citizens rather than allowing political disagreements to threaten peace and stability.
“Let those who seek leadership make their case, those who seek change present their alternatives, and those who support the government defend its record. Above all, let the people decide,” the statement said.
The message places voters at the centre of the electoral process and emphasizes that political disagreements should be resolved through peaceful democratic participation.
The Presidency also called on the media and civil society to contribute responsibly to the electoral debate.
As election campaigns and political discussions intensify, journalists and civic organizations are expected to play an important role in providing citizens with information and creating space for competing political views.
The statement’s appeal suggests that responsible public debate will be important in preventing political rhetoric from contributing to tensions ahead of the elections.
For South Sudan, where political disputes have previously contributed to instability, maintaining a peaceful public discourse could be crucial to creating an environment in which citizens can participate freely in the electoral process.
The Presidency said the country’s liberation generation fought for a South Sudan in which its people could determine their own destiny, arguing that this principle should remain central to the country’s democratic journey.
It reiterated its commitment to a “peaceful, orderly and democratic electoral process” and called on citizens to protect national unity, stability and sovereignty as the country moves toward December.
The statement ultimately presents the upcoming elections as more than a political contest: it portrays them as an opportunity for South Sudan to move beyond prolonged transitional uncertainty and give citizens a direct role in determining the country’s political direction.
With December approaching, the challenge will be to ensure that political competition remains peaceful, disagreements are handled through dialogue and the electoral process is allowed to proceed without another prolonged interruption.
