South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Jenifer James
The Civil society activist Edmund Yakani has called on the presidency to promptly initiate a strategic national dialogue to ensure the country is prepared for peaceful and credible elections set for December 2026. He made this statement to the media on Tuesday.
Yakani warned that unless immediate steps are taken to stabilize the political and security landscape, the elections may be at risk.
“Holding elections in 2026 is the only viable option to restore political legitimacy and stability,” Yakani said. “But we cannot discuss elections in the absence of the right conditions: security, political will, and inclusive decision-making.”
He pointed out that key government institutions, including Parliament and the Council of Ministers, are struggling to function effectively.
“We are not seeing regular meetings at the highest levels of government. The quorum in Parliament is often not met. This undermines the democratic process and makes it difficult to lay the foundation for credible elections,” Yakani added.
Yakani called on President Salva Kiir and Vice President Rebecca Nyandeng to take the lead in initiating a national dialogue focused specifically on the electoral process and the conditions necessary for holding free and fair elections.
“This is a critical moment for our country,” he said. “We believe in the wisdom of our leaders, and we hope they will make history by coming together to forge a roadmap for elections that all citizens can trust.”
He also stressed the importance of addressing political instability, armed conflict, and the fragmentation of security forces.
“We cannot have elections while armed groups remain divided and violence continues in various regions. We need a unified security sector that is professional and respectful of civilian rights,” he stated.
According to Yakani, creating an enabling environment for the 2026 polls will require inclusive political decisions involving all stakeholders, including civil society, political parties, and community leaders.
“Dialogue must start now. The sooner we agree on the basics—security arrangements, electoral laws, and transitional justice—the better chance we have of delivering elections that bring hope rather than more conflict,” he said.
In September of last year, the government announced it is postponing long-delayed general elections until December 2026, citing a lack of preparedness and budget.
