By Awan Achiek
The leader of the United South Sudan Party (USSP) and former Deputy Governor of Central Equatoria State, Compt. Paulino Lukudu Obede, has called on President Salva Kiir Mayardit to lift restrictions on the movement of political leaders ahead of the December 22, 2026 general elections, warning that political freedoms and an open operating environment are essential to ensuring an inclusive, transparent and credible electoral process.
In October, the President’s Office imposed a travel ban on constitutional office holders, military personnel, and police officers, prohibiting them from leaving the country without permission.
However, President Kiir later lifted the general travel restrictions on government officials, implementing a system requiring prior authorization for both foreign and domestic travel.
According to Republican Order Number 36-10/2026, senior government officials seeking to travel abroad must now obtain written permission from the Minister of Cabinet Affairs, along with endorsement from the Presidency.
Former senior officials—including former vice presidents, ministers, governors, and members of parliament—must also secure prior approval from the presidency before traveling outside the country.
Additionally, both current and former senior government officials traveling within South Sudan are required to inform the Minister of Cabinet Affairs in writing, detailing the purpose, destination, duration, and mode of their travel.
Lukudu expressed that restrictions on the movement of political leaders could hinder their ability to engage with supporters and participate freely in the electoral process.
“The party appeals to President Salva Kiir Mayardit to remove these movement restrictions and urges the National Elections Commission (NEC) to ensure that polling centers are accessible for persons with disabilities, the elderly, and those who are ill,” he stated in a 12-point roadmap letter submitted to the NEC on Tuesday.
He also raised concerns about insecurity in potential electoral hotspots, the need for robust election security arrangements, diminishing civic space, and the lack of funding for political parties as mandated by the Political Parties Act of 2012.
“USSP reaffirms its readiness to engage in the electoral process at all levels and calls on the NEC to provide stakeholders with regular updates on preparations to enhance transparency, public confidence, and electoral credibility.”
The USSP urged the NEC to clarify its preparedness, including the start of voter registration, boundary delimitation, publication of the voters’ register, and the announcement of the official campaign period.
Lukudu recommended establishing an Election Special Court to address electoral irregularities and an Early Warning Center with a toll-free hotline for reporting election-related incidents.
As South Sudan approaches the general elections on December 22, 2026, political and electoral stakeholders continue to voice concerns regarding preparations, security, and the conditions necessary for credible polls.
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