Several South Sudanese civil society activists launched a pressure group on Friday, dubbed the Constitution-making and Democratic Engagement Consortium (CMDEC), to advocate for key electoral reforms and public engagement ahead of elections scheduled for December 2026, as the country’s transition to democracy rests at a crossroads.
The country lags on key electoral reforms necessary for the polls, and citizens and activists remain cautiously optimistic about the conduct of a fair, free, and credible election.
In May, the National Election Commission (NEC) launched the State High-Level Electoral Committee for Central Equatoria State as part of measures to prepare the entire country for the much-awaited elections, with an announcement that similar measures will be implemented in the remaining 8 states and three administrative areas.
The CMDEC is a coalition of seven civil society and community-based organizations, which include Rights for All Organization (RFA), Concern on Climate Change for the Community Initiative (FOURCi), Base for Hope and Human Rights Organization (BHHRO), Vision South Sudan, Youth Link, INTREPID South Sudan (ISS), and Action for Community Transformation Initiative (ATI).
The group’s coordinator, Mutto Emmanuel, told Radio Tamazuj that they aim to foster participatory democracy through inclusive constitution making, credible electoral processes, and sustained citizen engagement in local and State governance.
“This conviction came about as a result of the apparent endless transition to democracy in South Sudan despite the consistent demands for election and complete systemic reforms by South Sudanese,” Mutto stated. “The consortium will strive to achieve objectives such as; promotion of an inclusive Constitution making process by 2026, strengthening of electoral integrity through civic education and observation, enhance Youth and Women’s participation in socio-political and governance spheres, and to establish platforms for citizen engagement in governance processes including public decision making, policy advocacy, and accountability across South Sudan.”
The activist said CMDEC will be coordinated from its head office in Juba, and in field locations in Eastern Equatoria, Western Equatoria, Jonglei State, Western Bhar el Gazal, and Upper Nile States, with the plan to increase presence in the rest of the country. Refugees in Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia will also be engaged, Mutto added.
Meanwhile, Bol Deng Bol, another activist, said their alliance was a game-changer as they joined forces to fill the knowledge gap on processes to the country’s transition to democracy.
“As we speak, there is an endless extension of the unity government that came through the R-ARCSS. With the endless extension since 2022, and currently there is a date set for elections and friends of South Sudan, December 2026,” he said. “This is an issue for South Sudanese activists. Secondly, there is a knowledge gap in terms of political participation and inclusivity.”