South Sudan leaders promise December 2026 elections

Leaders from South Sudan’s major political parties have officially confirmed that the country’s transitional period will not be extended and pledged to hold national general elections on 22 December 2026. The announcement followed an expanded meeting of the Presidency, which brought together representatives of parties to the Revitalised Peace Agreement. The Minister of Presidential Affairs, […]
Experts, EU, UN women demand greater women’s political inclusion

Political parties in South Sudan are being encouraged to increase women’s participation in leadership and decision-making roles as the nation prepares for the 2026 elections. This renewed call came during a two-day gender assessment workshop that brought together political parties, civil society organizations, government institutions, and gender advocates to examine women’s representation within all registered […]
Women mediators shape political dialogue ahead of key Juba peace summit

Twenty-one South Sudanese women mediators are taking a leading role in advancing the country’s peace process, ahead of a high-level political dialogue scheduled from 15–19 December 2025. Their involvement is being recognized as a crucial step toward building an inclusive and just South Sudan. UN Women, in partnership with the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization […]
South Sudanese mediators calls for ceasefire ahead of Dec. 15–19 home dialogue

A coalition of national mediators and stakeholders has issued a strong call for a nationwide ceasefire ahead of next week’s long-awaited joint dialogue between stakeholders and the party’s signatory to the 2018 Peace Agreement. The discussions, scheduled for 15–19 December 2025, are expected to bring political actors together for the most significant homegrown peace engagement […]
After years of drama, SPLM opens doors for opposition dialogue

The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) has announced that it is finally opening its doors to dialogue with all opposition groups. The shift comes after years of political friction, stalled negotiations, and prolonged national uncertainty that have weighed heavily on the country’s journey toward lasting peace. The announcement followed a high-level consultative meeting chaired by […]
SSOA, SPLM leaders step up political cooperation ahead of 2026 elections

Political collaboration in South Sudan intensified this week as leaders from the SSOA and SPLM held back-to-back high-level meetings to strengthen national unity and prepare for the 2026 elections. The Presidential Advisor and Chairman of the South Sudan Patriotic Movement (SSPM), Dr. Costello Garang Riiny Lual, led the outreach, beginning with an official visit to […]
Machar Trial: Defense and prosecution clash over Nasir evidence

The trial of First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon and seven SPLM/A-IO officials grew increasingly contentious on Monday, as defense lawyers and state prosecutors clashed over conflicting testimonies and inconsistencies in the investigation of the Nasir incident. The 27th session at Freedom Hall centered on the defense’s grilling of the prosecution’s first witness, Major […]
Activists warn politicians against manipulating South Sudanese-to-South Sudanese dialogue

Civil society activists have issued a strong warning to political leaders and parties in South Sudan against attempting to manipulate the ongoing South Sudanese-to-South Sudanese dialogue, emphasizing that such actions could undermine the peace process and harm ordinary citizens. The warning comes amid growing concerns over political splits and internal power struggles within parties that […]
Inside Machar court session as defense challenges testimony

The Special Court established trying First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and seven senior SPLM/A-IO officials convened its 26th session on Friday, with the defense mounting its most direct challenge yet to the prosecution’s first witness. Major Peter Malual Deng, a Legal Advisor in the SSPDF and the initial witness for the prosecution, faced hours […]
South Sudan’s home dialogue continues as FDS call for inclusive peace efforts

Dialogue aimed at restoring trust and implementing the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) continued this week, with Former Political Detainees (FDS) engaging in constructive discussions with women mediators and other stakeholders. Akot Dut Ajieno, Member of Parliament at South Sudan’s Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) and representative of […]