Catholic bishops from South Sudan’s Ecclesiastical Province of Juba have warned that the country faces a looming constitutional and transitional crisis over the planned December 2026 general elections and urged political leaders to resolve outstanding issues through dialogue and fully implement the 2018 peace agreement.
The warning came in a communiqué issued at the end of the bishops’ annual meeting held in Juba from 15 to 17 July. The statement was read on Friday by Bishop Matthew Remijio Adam Gbitiku of the Diocese of Wau on behalf of the bishops.
The bishops said they had reflected on the country’s political, economic and security situation after the National Elections Commission announced that elections would be held on 22 December 2026, a date they noted coincides with the Christmas season.
“We have keenly understood there is a looming transitional and constitutional crisis whether elections are conducted or not,” the communiqué read in part. “As the shepherds of God’s people, we remain steadfast in our mission to promote peace, justice, reconciliation and the dignity of every human person. We recognise the aspirations of our people for a peaceful, democratic and prosperous South Sudan, where every citizen can live in freedom, security and hope.”
“In good faith, we ask that all decisions concerning the electoral process be guided by dialogue, mutual trust, constitutional order, legal clarity, sufficient preparedness and the common good, so that the long-awaited national democratic exercise may become a source of national unity rather than division,” the communiqué added.
The bishops urged the country’s political leaders to recommit themselves to the full implementation of the 2018 Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), saying it remains the foundation for achieving lasting peace and democratic governance.
They said the country’s leaders should seize the current moment to restore public confidence through dialogue, justice and respect for constitutional principles.
The bishops also announced that they would soon issue a comprehensive pastoral message dedicated to the elections and the broader state of affairs in South Sudan to guide the faithful and the public ahead of the polls.
The communiqué expressed concern over continued insecurity across the country, citing deadly communal violence in several regions, repeated clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and armed opposition groups. They also cited what they described as the violent encroachment of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) along South Sudan’s southern border.
The prelates welcomed the fact that South Sudan has not recorded any Ebola cases while urging the public and health authorities to remain vigilant and continue preventive measures against possible outbreaks.
Regarding the dire economic situation, the Catholic clergy said they stand in solidarity with South Sudanese struggling under worsening economic conditions.
They pointed to the continued depreciation of the South Sudanese Pound, soaring prices of essential commodities, and the delayed payment of salaries to government employees as major factors worsening the humanitarian situation.
“We stand in solidarity with you as we face daily stressful economic hardships resulting from continuous sharp depreciation of the local currency and skyrocketing prices of goods and services in the markets, a situation exacerbated by delayed payment of meagre salaries of government employees,” the communiqué stated.
The bishops also expressed concern over the impact of drought, heatwaves and flooding on vulnerable communities. While acknowledging that floodwaters had receded in some areas, they warned that many communities remain at risk as the rainy season progresses.
They sympathised with farmers whose crops had been damaged by drought and extreme heat and appealed to the international community, development partners and people of goodwill to support those affected by food insecurity.
The bishops urged South Sudanese to reject violence, hatred, tribalism, misinformation, and all forms of incitement as the country prepares for elections.
“We equally appeal to all South Sudanese to reject violence, hatred, tribalism, misinformation, and every form of incitement. Let us cultivate a spirit of fraternity, respect and solidarity, and remember that we are one people with a shared destiny,” they said.
Reaffirming the Catholic Church’s commitment to peacebuilding, the bishops said the Church would continue accompanying the people of South Sudan through prayer, moral guidance and constructive engagement.
They concluded by calling on clergy, religious leaders, Christian families, and all people of goodwill to pray for wisdom among the country’s leaders, healing for communities affected by conflict, and unity for the nation.
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