Hopes for South Sudan’s first peaceful and democratic elections since independence are under growing threat as renewed outbreaks of violence grip parts of the country.
Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of CEPO, warned that without urgent efforts to end ongoing conflict and implement the 2018 peace agreement, South Sudan is at risk of missing its chance to hold credible elections in December 2026.
Yakani, through CEPO’s Elections Watch Initiative, raised alarm over escalating insecurity and the slow progress in fulfilling key commitments of the R-ARCSS peace agreement.
He said the country is not on track to meet the deadline for completing the tasks necessary to create a conducive environment for voting.
“Tracking the progress of delivering the required pending tasks of R-ARCSS to create good enough conditions for holding elections is totally behind schedule,” said Mr. Yakani.
He warned that if these tasks are not fulfilled by the critical deadline of October 22, 2025, the possibility of elections taking place becomes increasingly unlikely.
In recent weeks, violence has erupted in several parts of the country, leading to casualties and mass displacement.
These incidents have reignited fears of a return to widespread conflict and have undermined public confidence in the transitional government’s ability to guarantee security and political inclusivity ahead of the polls.
Yakani stressed that without political will and urgent intervention by the leadership, the December 2026 elections could be postponed or fail altogether—an outcome that would severely damage the fragile peace process and prolong the cycle of instability.
“The resumption of armed violence is slowly eroding the national optimism that R-ARCSS once inspired. This should serve as a wake-up call for leaders to prioritize peace, reconciliation, and the rule of law,” he added.
CEPO is now calling on South Sudan’s leaders to fulfill their constitutional responsibility by fast-tracking reforms, deploying effective security measures, and engaging communities to prevent further violence.
The group also urged international partners and regional bodies to step up support for peacebuilding and electoral preparations.
The warning comes at a critical time when the nation’s transition from war to peace still hangs in the balance.
A successful election in 2026 is widely viewed as a cornerstone for long-term stability, democratic governance, and national healing. But with time running out, the window of opportunity is narrowing fast.
