Peace bodies call for inclusivity, transparency in election process

By Kidega Livingstone

The African Union (AU) and the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (R-JMEC) have called for inclusivity and transparency in South Sudan’s election process as the country prepares for general elections scheduled for December 2026.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ consultative workshop in Juba on Thursday, the Deputy Head of Mission for the African Union in South Sudan, Dr Prosper N. Addo, said inclusivity and transparency are key to ensuring peaceful elections.

“As citizens prepare to go to the polls, the agreed election roadmap is very important. There must also be early warning and response mechanisms so that the public can be aware of what is happening before the elections are held,” Addo said.

Meanwhile, the Senior Transitional Justice Advisor at the R-JMEC Secretariat, Chris Gitari, said inclusivity and a stable security situation are critical for citizens to participate freely in the electoral process.

“Citizens should know that when they are about to cast their votes, they will be safe,” Gitari said.

However, the Undersecretary at the Ministry of Peacebuilding, Phillip Michael Pia, noted that elections in Africa are often difficult to predict because they can either promote peace or trigger conflict. He said the process requires a strong foundation to ensure free and fair polls.

“Elections always have two faces. They can bring peace or conflict—not only in Africa but worldwide,” Pia said.

The Secretary-General of the National Elections Commission (NEC), Gabriel Bol Deng, stressed the need for strong political will, saying credible elections require clear decisions from political leaders.

“As a commission, we still face challenges. Time is running out, and the National Elections Commission continues to face some difficulties,” Bol Deng said.