A civil society activist has called on the Government of South Sudan to provide free nationality identification cards to rural communities ahead of the country’s December 2026 general elections.
Wodcan Saviour, the Executive Director of Support Peace Initiative Development Organization (SPIDO), said many people in rural areas risk being excluded from the voter registration process because they lack the required nationality documents.
Speaking to the media on Monday, Saviour urged the government to make identification cards more accessible, particularly for vulnerable communities facing financial challenges.
“A nationality identification card is a very important document for every citizen. However, the cost of obtaining it remains a challenge for many people, especially those living in rural areas,” he stated. “We are calling on the government to consider providing these documents free of charge to rural communities.”
Saviour also called for a reduction in the cost of obtaining nationality identification cards for urban residents, saying high fees continue to prevent many citizens from acquiring the documents.
He warned that citizens without proper identification may struggle to access essential services and participate fully in national activities, including elections.
“If citizens do not have nationality cards, it becomes difficult for them to access services and participate fully in national activities, including elections. The government should ensure that no citizen is excluded because of financial challenges,” he added.
The SPIDO boss cited Uganda’s national identification system as an example, saying free access to identity documents has supported wider participation in electoral processes.
“We have seen in countries such as Uganda, where citizens are provided with identification documents without paying high costs. South Sudan can also consider a similar approach to ensure all citizens are included,” Saviour said.
South Sudan is preparing for general elections scheduled for December 2026, while civil society organizations continue to advocate for measures aimed at increasing public participation and ensuring eligible citizens are able to take part in the electoral process.
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