National Democratic Movement (NDM) leader Dr. Lam Akol has warned that South Sudan is not currently ready to conduct free, fair, credible and peaceful elections in December 2026, calling instead for an inclusive national dialogue to build consensus on the country’s political future.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, NDM Secretary General Bol Joseph Agau said the 2018 peace agreement was intended to end years of conflict and guide the country toward sustainable peace and democratic governance.
However, Agau said eight years after the agreement was signed, its two principal objectives sustainable peace and democratic transition remain largely unfulfilled.
He said elections were never designed to be a stand-alone political exercise but were intended to serve as the final milestone of a broader peace and reform process.
“Elections were never intended to be a stand-alone event. They were conceived as the final milestone of a comprehensive peace process,” Agau said.
According to the NDM, key reforms including security sector reform, constitution-making, judicial and institutional reforms, as well as the creation of an enabling political environment, must be addressed before credible elections can take place.
The party also questioned the government’s renewed push for December elections, noting that the transitional period has already been extended twice first through the 2022 roadmap and again in 2024.
Agau questioned why elections are now being strongly advocated for when many of the conditions that previously justified extending the transitional period remain unresolved.
The NDM further raised concerns over the deteriorating security situation in parts of the country, particularly Jonglei State, where community-based violence and political tensions have continued to pose challenges.
Agau said the prevailing political, security and economic conditions make it difficult to guarant
