The clock is running. In just under five months, on 22 December 2026, South Sudan reaches a pivotal moment. For the first time since raising its flag as an independent nation, the country will hold a general election. It’s a milestone that stirs hope in some and deep skepticism in many others.
Across the capital and beyond, doubts are loud and persistent. Opposition parties, civil Society activists, and foreign observers have all raised red flags. The groundwork, they argue, hasn’t been laid. There is still no finalized permanent constitution. The last population count happened back in 2008, so outdated it barely reflects today’s reality. The security forces, which were supposed to be merged under the 2018 peace agreement, remain splintered. Political parties are struggling to present their manifestos, funds are tight, and violence continues to disrupt other parts of the country.
Yet the government is pushing forward. Lawmakers have adjusted the rules, deciding to postpone both the census and the constitution-making process until after the vote. It’s a compromise and perhaps necessary in their view.
Still, imagine another outcome. Picture a scenario the sceptics haven’t fully entertained. What if December 22 passes without major incident? What if people stream to polling stations across the country, not despite the missing census or unfinished legal framework, but driven by something more urgent? What if the security forces, however imperfectly knit together, rise to the occasion and keep the peace at ballot boxes?
Should that happen, it would rewrite the usual script. South Sudan would demonstrate that democracy doesn’t always depend on perfect preparation. It would show that when political will and community spirit align, they can fill gaps left by protocols and paperwork. This young republic could become an unexpected case study, proof that elections can be organized in a short time, under extreme pressure, and still hold meaning.
The days are passing. Each sunrise brings fresh criticism and renewed anxiety. But it also brings the quiet resolve of ordinary citizens, many of whom have never voted before, ready to claim a stake in their own future.
If 22 December dawns, and the nation holds its breath, and then exhales in relief, it won’t be a tale of flawless execution. It will be a story of grit. And the world, with its thick manuals and checklists, may find itself learning from the world’s youngest country.
There’s no more time for Debate. The Road is Set. Let the final countdown begin.
The Writer is a South Sudanese Journalist and a Student at the University of Juba, pursuing a Master’s Degree in International Relations. He can be reached at khamiscosmas@gmail.com
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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