The national debate currently unfolding in South Sudan regarding elections reflects the seriousness of the moment confronting the Republic. On one side, Hon. Anthony Lino Makana and those who support immediate elections argue that the country must proceed with democratic processes to end the prolonged transitional period and restore constitutional legitimacy. On the other side, voices such as Rev. Basil ‘Buga Nyama’ caution that rushing into elections without addressing security, constitutional, institutional, and civic deficiencies could plunge the country into deeper instability and conflict.
At the same time, international partners, including representatives of the European Union (EU), the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), IGAD, the African Union (AU), the Troika, and other diplomatic stakeholders, have consistently maintained that elections must not only occur, but must also be credible, inclusive, peaceful, and grounded in the full implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement (R-ARCSS).
The truth is that South Sudan cannot remain in perpetual transition indefinitely. The people deserve accountable governance and the constitutional right to choose their leaders through democratic means. However, it is equally true that democracy cannot flourish where fear, political exclusion, armed fragmentation, economic hardship, institutional weakness, and unresolved trauma continue to dominate public life.
Therefore, the way forward is neither blind insistence on rushed elections nor endless postponement without reform. The way forward is a structured national pathway toward democratic transition and legitimate elections.
Elections must be understood as the culmination of peacebuilding and constitutional preparation rather than the starting point of state formation. When elections precede institutional readiness in fragile societies, they risk intensifying unresolved political and security tensions instead of resolving them.
The missing foundations of democracy
First, the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) and all political stakeholders must immediately reduce political tensions by releasing political detainees, activists, journalists, and individuals held because of political disagreements or dissenting opinions.
Second, all signatories and non-signatories to the peace process must work together peacefully and urgently to bring holdout groups into the national framework through fast-tracked negotiations and genuine guarantees of inclusion.
Third, the implementation of the Necessary Unified Forces under Chapter II of the R-ARCSS must become an immediate national priority.
Furthermore, the government must guarantee the fundamental freedoms of expression, assembly, association, and freedom of the press.
The national constitutional conference
South Sudan should convene an inclusive National Constitutional Conference bringing together political parties, civil society organisations, religious leaders, women’s groups, youth representatives, traditional authorities, academics, elders, business leaders, and representatives from all regions and communities.
The constitutional process must ultimately produce a renewed national social contract founded upon citizenship, equality before the law, shared sovereignty, mutual obligations, and peaceful coexistence among all South Sudanese communities.
Ideally, the conference should be held in Juba under strong regional and international guarantees to ensure security, neutrality, transparency, and confidence among all participants.
National reconciliation, transitional justice, and institutional reform
Peace without justice risks becoming temporary silence rather than lasting reconciliation. South Sudan must therefore strengthen transitional justice mechanisms envisioned under the peace agreement.
The churches of South Sudan possess a unique moral authority and national reach that positions them as indispensable partners in reconciliation, mediation, trauma healing, civic education, and peacebuilding.
Democratic transition also requires rebuilding the state’s administrative capacity. Institutional strengthening must therefore accompany political reform.
The role of guarantors and external stakeholders
IGAD, the African Union, the United Nations, the European Union, the Troika, regional governments, churches, civil society, and eminent African personalities should serve as guarantors of the process.
A Joint Guarantees and Compliance Mechanism should be established to monitor the implementation of the agreed steps.
If violations occur, they must trigger graduated consequences including mediation, sanctions, travel restrictions, asset freezes, and international accountability where necessary.
The role of the United Nations and UNMISS
The United Nations Security Council must reassess and strengthen the operational mandate of UNMISS in light of South Sudan’s evolving political realities.
The Security Council should therefore task UNMISS not merely with reactive peacekeeping, but with supporting a structured and enforceable democratic transition framework tied to measurable benchmarks under the Revitalized Peace Agreement.
Managing internal and external spoilers
Spoilers must be addressed firmly and fairly, whether they are in government, in the opposition, among armed groups, or within external networks.
External spoilers who fuel division, finance violence, manipulate factions, or obstruct South Sudan’s democratic transition for selfish motives should be exposed and subjected to diplomatic, legal, and economic pressure.
Conclusion
The pathway toward democratic transition is therefore clear:
• Release political detainees and open democratic space.
• Fast-track negotiations to include holdout groups in the peace process.
• Complete the unification and professionalisation of security forces.
• Convene an inclusive National Constitutional Conference.
• Strengthen civic education and democratic institutions.
• Advance reconciliation, transitional justice, accountability, and economic reform.
• Establish credible guarantees and enforcement mechanisms.
The future of South Sudan will not be secured by the politics of fear, force, or faction, but by the courage to build a just Republic governed by law, dignity, inclusion, and peace.
Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author, Dr. Sokiri Lojuan Lojökudu, and do not necessarily represent the official position, policy, or views of any political party, institution, organisation, employer, affiliate, or association with which he works, collaborates, or is associated.
The writer is a concerned South Sudanese citizen.
The views expressed in ‘opinion’ articles published by Radio Tamazuj are solely those of the writer. The veracity of any claims made is the responsibility of the author, not Radio Tamazuj.
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