UNMISS Hands Over Election Facility to Boost Poll Readiness in Western Equatoria

By Waure Eddy

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), through its Civil Affairs Division and in partnership with the Community Organization for Peer-Educators (COPE), has handed over a rehabilitated election storage facility and training hall to the State High Election Commission in Yambio, a move aimed at strengthening electoral preparedness and institutional capacity in Western Equatoria State ahead of future elections.

The rehabilitation was implemented under the UNMISS Quick Impact Project, which began in 2020 and aims to strengthen local institutions while supporting peacebuilding and electoral preparedness in the state.

COPE Executive Director Gordon Kumbangako Basa said the organization had carried out several rehabilitation works at the facility.

He said the works included partitioning four office spaces, installing four metallic doors and six metallic windows, creating 22 ventilation windows, roofing the warehouse with 750 iron sheets, and installing six roof vents.

“We hope that this place can accommodate more people during election activities because the warehouse is large and the offices are located inside it,” Basa said.

The Baiporu Sub-Chief, Nelson Keleopa, thanked UNMISS and COPE for rehabilitating the facility ahead of the elections.

He pledged that local authorities would help protect the facility, particularly when election materials are delivered and stored there.

The Chairperson of the State High Election Commission, Hon. Simon Bakam Mande, also expressed appreciation for the support provided by UNMISS and COPE.

He said the facility had remained without renovation for a long time and called for cooperation between the state government and development partners to ensure its maintenance.

UNMISS representative Charles Okwir said the mission would continue supporting the government in areas related to the electoral process and peacebuilding.

He said supporting the electoral process is part of UNMISS’s broader mandate to contribute to peace and the protection of civilians.

Meanwhile, the Acting Governor of Western Equatoria State and Minister of Local Government and Law Enforcement, Hon. Abel Sudan, thanked the partners for rehabilitating the facility.

He said citizens were increasingly asking whether South Sudan would proceed with the general elections scheduled for 22 December 2026, adding that people want an opportunity to participate in choosing their leaders.

Sudan said the facility is expected to become a hub of activity during the election period as citizens and election officials prepare for the polls.

The handover ceremony brought together youth, women, local leaders, government officials, UNMISS representatives, and implementing partners as South Sudan prepares for the December 2026 general elections.