South Sudan: Juba rejects UN warning on December elections

The government of South Sudan dismissed the warnings issued by the United Nations Human Rights Commission on Friday, September 11, in Juba, which stated that the elections scheduled for December 22 could become a source of political confrontation and violence if necessary safeguards are not put in place.

In a statement reported by Radio Tamazuj, the South Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs described these warnings as unfounded. It asserted that the government remains committed to the 2018 peace agreement and to organizing the elections as part of the political transition.

The UN Commission issued its warning on September 10, following a four-day visit to the country. It reported a resurgence of violence, political tensions, a shrinking civic space, and institutional weaknesses that could jeopardize a peaceful transition.

According to the Commission, an election conducted without inclusive political dialogue, equitable participation opportunities, and credible dispute resolution mechanisms could incite further violence. It specifically called for dialogue that includes major political forces, such as the SPLM-IO led by Riek Machar, as well as civil society, women, and youth.

The government, for its part, contends that political disputes should be resolved within national frameworks and cites the recently initiated inter-party dialogue. Authorities have also amended the constitutional framework so that the adoption of a permanent constitution and the conduct of a national census are no longer prerequisites for holding elections.

The National Election Commission has scheduled the elections for December 22, 2026. This will be the first national election held in South Sudan since the country gained independence in 2011, following several delays in the electoral timeline.