Civil society raises concerns over women’s role in upcoming elections
Civil society organizations in South Sudan have expressed concern over the limited participation of women in political leadership and the potential risks that could undermine their involvement as the country prepares for its anticipated national elections. The concerns were raised during a press briefing held in Juba by representatives of the Gender Observatory Platform, a […]
Kiir forms election committee, excludes Dr. Machar loyalists
President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Friday evening issued a presidential order establishing a broad-based leadership committee to conduct dialogue on election-related issues in South Sudan. The new committee includes representatives from SPLM, SPLM-IO (Stephen Par Kuol faction), the National Agenda, the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA), other political parties, former detainees, eminent personalities, and key […]
Why South Sudan’s elections remain in doubt, according to RJMEC
With less than a year remaining before South Sudan’s planned elections, the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) says the country is still far from meeting the minimum conditions required for a credible vote. The warning is contained in RJMEC’s quarterly report covering the period from October 1 to December 31, 2025, which highlights […]
Election watch flags missed electoral deadline on constituency announcement
A civil society leader has raised alarm over what he described as the first major violation of South Sudan’s electoral timeline, warning that the failure to announce geographical constituencies by the legally mandated deadline threatens the credibility of the country’s planned 2026 elections. Speaking under the Election Watch initiative, the Chief Executive Officer of the […]
Kiir, allies approve peace changes without Machar’s SPLM-IO
The Presidency in Juba unanimously endorsed changes to key peace agreement clauses to pave the way for elections, proceeding without Machar-led SPLM-IO. The Juba session brought together the Presidency and allied parties but went ahead without Machar’s SPLM-IO, raising concerns over inclusivity and consensus. According to a communiqué drafted following last week’s Presidency meeting, the […]
Elections or No Elections: Commission outlines conditions for 2026 vote
With approximately a year remaining before the scheduled conduct of the country’s first general elections since independence, National Election Commission (NEC) has stated that polls cannot be held in 2026 unless political compromises are made immediately. Speaking at the National Stakeholders Dialogue in Juba, last week, Ahou Malou, the NEC’s Director for Budget and Planning, […]
Cameroon’s 92-year-old leader Biya wins eighth presidential term
Cameroon’s President Paul Biya, 92, has been officially re-elected for an eighth term, extending his more than four-decade rule, according to results announced Monday by the Constitutional Council. “Hereby proclaimed President-elect: the candidate Biya Paul,” declared Clement Atangana, president of the Constitutional Council, as the official results were read on state television. Biya, who first […]
Spoilers block South Sudan’s political dialogue, civil society says
Civil society has raised alarm over growing signs that spoilers within South Sudan’s political establishment are obstructing progress towards national dialogue and undermining preparations for the long-promised 2026 elections. Edmond Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), said findings from their pre-election domestic observation show the country is sliding into a […]
Bitter SSFF poll ends with Madout’s plea for unity and support
Outgoing South Sudan Football Federation (SSFF) president Augustino Madout has called for forgiveness and unity after a contentious election that saw him lose to Francis Amin amid accusations of manipulation and disqualification of rivals. The federation’s general assembly in Juba was marked by controversy after several presidential contenders were barred from the race, prompting claims […]
Elections are the only democratic path to power, NDM insists
With the 2026 elections approaching, the National Democratic Movement (NDM) has called on South Sudan’s political parties to commit to democracy as the only legitimate path to power, stating that credible elections are essential for the nation’s future. The demand was a key item of a communique released Tuesday following the party’s Ninth National Leadership […]
