Africa-Press – South-Sudan. As South Sudan moves closer to its long-delayed 2026 general elections, the State High Elections Commission (SHEC) in Western Equatoria State has urged citizens to begin preparing early and to remain hopeful in the country’s democratic process.
Speaking to Sudan’s Post on Tuesday, SHEC spokesperson Simon Sawarasi described elections as the most viable path to lasting peace and political stability in South Sudan. He said credible polls and the election of permanent leaders are essential to settling the country’s prolonged political transition.
“Elections are the only way to resolve our challenges as a country,” Sawarasi said. “People should prepare spiritually, emotionally and practically. Elections are the path to lasting peace.”
Over the past year, SHEC has rolled out civic education and voter-awareness initiatives across the state, targeting youth, women, persons with disabilities and community leaders. According to the commission, about 4,000 secondary-school students and university scholars have been reached so far through outreach activities, workshops and training sessions supported by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
The commission has also trained local facilitators to extend civic-education efforts to all ten counties and hard-to-reach areas of Western Equatoria.
“We are engaging leaders, stakeholders and the wider community to ensure the electoral process is inclusive and transparent,” Sawarasi said. “Our aim is to reach every corner of the state so that citizens are informed and ready to participate when the polls open.”
SHEC Chairperson for Western Equatoria, Simon Bakama, reinforced the call for early mobilisation, urging residents to spread awareness during the festive season.
“As people travel for Christmas and the holidays, we ask them to share the message that the 2026 elections are coming and everyone must be prepared,” Bakama said. He added that SHEC will continue awareness campaigns in Bomas, Payams and counties, while calling on the government to guarantee peace and security to enable access to remote communities.
Civil society organisations have also weighed in, stressing the need for concrete government support. Wanga Emmanuel, Executive Director of Vision South Sudan and chairperson of the Western Equatoria civil-society coalition, said successful elections will depend on political will and adequate resources.
“We need funding, logistical support and a clear commitment from both national and state authorities to ensure the 2026 elections are free, fair and inclusive,” Emmanuel said. “Without seriousness and resources, the process risks remaining just rhetoric.”
The renewed calls come amid broader concerns over the state of democracy in South Sudan. Political analyst Stephen Dhieu Kuach recently warned that the country’s democratic institutions are “on life support” and cautioned that the 2026 elections could become an “illusion” unless the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) is fully implemented.
Despite the challenges, SHEC officials remain optimistic, stressing that early civic engagement is key to building public trust in the electoral process.
“We still have hope, and we are sharing that hope with every citizen,” Sawarasi said. “Together, we can make the 2026 elections a milestone for peace and development in South Sudan.”
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