Court Suspends UJOSS Election Activities Pending Administrative Case
The High Court of Central Equatoria State has issued an injunction suspending all election activities within the Union of Journalists of South Sudan, or UJOSS, pending the final determination of an ongoing administrative case.
The order, dated Sept. 14, 2026, and signed by High Court Judge Amosa Wajia, directs the court bailiff and police to halt all electoral procedures within the journalists’ union until the case is resolved.
The injunction follows a petition filed by members of the UJOSS General Assembly, who have challenged the conduct of the union’s planned elections and raised concerns over the leadership’s compliance with the organization’s constitution and administrative procedures.
The UJOSS Electoral Committee had scheduled the elections for Aug. 17, but the process faced opposition from members of the General Assembly.
In a statement, the petitioners welcomed the court’s intervention, saying it would help safeguard democratic principles and prevent practices they believe could undermine the union’s credibility.
The General Assembly members accused UJOSS President Oyet Patrick and Secretary-General Majak Kuany of proceeding with the election process without first presenting required financial and administrative reports to the General Assembly.
They also alleged that the leadership had failed to resolve an ongoing constitutional dispute and had not complied with an earlier directive issued by the Registrar at the Ministry of Justice.
The petitioners further challenged the formation of the UJOSS Electoral Committee, saying it was established without the required approval of the General Assembly.
The members said their legal action was not intended to permanently block elections but to ensure that any future vote is conducted in accordance with the union’s constitution and accepted principles of transparency and accountability.
They called on the UJOSS leadership to comply with the court order, suspend all electoral activities and provide the outstanding financial and administrative reports before a new election timetable is set.
The court’s injunction will remain in effect pending the final determination of the administrative case.
