On May 29, 2025, a vital national dialogue was convened between the National Electoral Commission (NEC) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in South Sudan. The meeting, held at a central venue, marked a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to ensure peaceful, inclusive, and credible elections scheduled for December 2026. The primary aim was to analyze current challenges, share insights, and develop strategies to foster a conducive electoral environment. This event laid the groundwork for collaborative action, resulting to a comprehensive communique drafted by CSOs that outlined key resolutions to support a peaceful electoral process.
The Context and Significance of the National Dialogue
South Sudan’s electoral process faces multifaceted challenges—ranging from political tensions, logistical issues, security concerns, to mistrust among stakeholders. Recognizing these anstacles, the NEC and CSOs embarked on a one-day national dialogue to critically assess the environment for upcoming elections.
The discussions highlighted the importance of multi-stakeholder participation in maintaining electoral peace and legitimacy. Participants exchanged ideas on how to address key obstacles — including misinformation, electoral violence, and emphasized the need for transparency, civic education, and inclusive participation.
State-Level Engagement in Western Equatoria
Building on the momentum, CSOs in Western Equatoria, under their network called NeCSOs, organized their own critical dialogue with the State High Electoral Committee (SHEC). Supported by UNMISS, this local engagement took place on June 24, 2025, at the Civic Engagement Center in Yambio, Western Equatoria State. This event aimed to operationalize national resolutions within the local context, ensuring tailored strategies for the state.
During this state-level session, CSOs articulated their specific roles and areas of collaboration with SHEC. They emphasized the importance of grassroots engagement, community mobilization, and electoral monitoring—part of their collective effort to guarantee a peaceful electoral process.
The Significance of the Western Equatoria Dialogue
This regional engagement, supported by UNMISS, exemplifies how national strategies can be adapted at the local level to address specific community needs. It signifies a shift towards decentralized planning and ownership, empowering local CSOs and communities to take active roles in safeguarding electoral integrity.
Furthermore, such dialogues create a platform for continuous interaction, trust-building, and coordinated activities, reducing electoral tensions and enhancing community resilience.
Moving Towards December 2026
The collaborative effort from national and state levels reaffirms a shared commitment to conducting free, fair, and peaceful elections. As South Sudan approaches December 2026, these dialogues and resolutions serve as guiding principles, emphasizing transparency, inclusiveness, and community participation.
The support from UNMISS and other international partners underscores the importance of continued partnerships, capacity-building, and monitoring to address emerging challenges effectively. Strengthening civil society’s role, coupled with robust electoral mechanisms, will be very crucial for the success of the upcoming elections.