The Western Equatoria State High Elections Commission has officially launched a free civic education campaign aimed at empowering more than 4,000 students and community members in Yambio County with knowledge about electoral participation ahead of the long-awaited 2026 general elections.
The civic initiative, which began this week at the Yambio County Education Office, marks a major step in strengthening democratic awareness across schools and communities, after more than a decade without national elections since South Sudan’s independence in 2011.
Speaking during the launch, Mr. Simon Peter Sarawasi, the Spokesperson of the Western Equatoria State High Elections Commission, described the turnout of teachers and education officials as “a demonstration of patriotism and national responsibility,” despite the ongoing economic hardship facing the country.
“These teachers and administrators are true nationalists,” said Mr. Sarawasi. “They came without expecting payment or allowances. We didn’t even have tea or water to offer them, yet they stayed the whole time some even asked us to extend the session. That is the spirit of the South Sudanese teacher: a person who believes in change and wants to reshape the narrative of our country.”
According to Mr. Sarawasi, the civic education campaign is divided into two phases, one that requires financial support and another being implemented voluntarily. The current phase, which will run until December 15, focuses on free civic engagement in schools, with an emphasis on human rights in elections, understanding the electoral process, and promoting inclusion and participation.
He said the initiative is expected to lay a foundation for peaceful, informed, and active citizen participation in the 2026 polls, adding that trained teachers will act as civic ambassadors in their schools and communities.
“When people are informed, confusion and complaints give way to meaningful participation,” he explained. “This program gives birth to democracy, peace-building, and good governance.”
Yambio County Education Director, Mr. Joseph Augusto Sume, lauded the program as historic, noting that it was the first of its kind in the county’s education department.
“Since independence, we have not yet conducted a full national election, this civic education is helping us reflect on where we have come from and where we are heading as a country. We must educate our people about the importance of elections and discourage the idea of saying, ‘I will not vote for anyone,’ because if you don’t vote, then who will choose the leaders that represent you?” he said.
Mr. Sume added that his office will collaborate with the State Elections Commission to extend the program across all six payams of Yambio County, ensuring that civic knowledge reaches even the most remote areas.
At the event, Ustaz Peter Patrick Mande, Principal of Yambio County Education Centre, emphasized that education remains the foundation for a democratic and accountable society.
“Without elections, we cannot have a strong and accountable government, this knowledge is not only for us but for the entire nation. We are committed to spreading it widely across all levels of society because education is the key to everything,” said Mande.
He further urged the National Elections Commission to ensure continuous civic education beyond Yambio, calling for reading materials to help teachers reinforce learning in schools and communities.
Among the attendees was Ms. Veronica Elisapana Kpiosa, a female teacher who fled the violence in Tombura and now lives in Yambio. She expressed hope that the upcoming 2026 elections would usher in lasting peace and improved living conditions for ordinary citizens.
“Many of us have suffered running up and down because of insecurity. Our children have missed school; there are no proper hospitals or roads,” said Veronica. “We need elections so that we can choose leaders who care for our people and bring real change. This civic education gives us hope that our voices will finally matter.”
The civic education campaign in Yambio represents a wider national effort to revive public trust in elections and strengthen democratic participation across South Sudan. For many participants, it was a rare opportunity to learn about their voting rights and the broader meaning of elections in shaping the future of their country.
As Western Equatoria takes the lead, the message from Yambio is clear informed citizens are the heartbeat of democracy.
“What we started today,” concluded Mr. Sarawasi, “is the beginning of something powerful something that will prepare our people to participate confidently and peacefully in the 2026 elections.”