South Sudan is approaching one of the most consequential milestones since independence. The forthcoming general elections will determine not only who governs our nation, but also whether our democracy is prepared to uphold its most fundamental promise: that every citizen has an equal voice.
For more than a decade, South Sudanese have waited to exercise their democratic right at the ballot box. The ultimate credibility of these elections will not be measured solely by voter turnout or the peaceful declaration of results. It will also be judged by whether every eligible citizen—including persons with disabilities—can participate fully, independently, safely, and with dignity.
As the Director of Disability Affairs in the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, I consider it both a constitutional responsibility and a professional duty to advocate for electoral processes that guarantee equal participation. Disability inclusion is not a peripheral issue in electoral reform; it is a binding constitutional obligation, a human rights imperative, and the cornerstone of genuine democratic governance.
South Sudan has committed itself, both nationally and internationally, to ensuring equal political participation for persons with disabilities.
South Sudan is estimated to have between 1.2 and 1.8 million persons with disabilities, representing approximately 10% to 15% of the total population. Decades of armed conflict, displacement, remnants of war like landmines, limited healthcare access, and climate-related emergencies have significantly increased this prevalence.
No election can claim full democratic legitimacy while structural and physical barriers continue to exclude such a substantial segment of the population.
The upcoming elections present a historic opportunity for South Sudan to demonstrate democratic maturity. To translate our legal commitments into reality, the transitional government and electoral bodies must immediately implement the following practical measures: Fully implement the 2% disability representation mandate across all legislative levels. Ensure all voter registration centers and polling stations are physically accessible.
To make the 2026 elections the most inclusive in our nation’s history, I call upon our key national institutions and partners to fulfill their respective roles:
As the primary body responsible for organizing credible elections, the NEC must ensure that every stage of the process—from registration and staffing to voting and dispute resolution—is barrier-free. The Commission must also proactively enforce the 2% affirmative representation quota for candidates with disabilities.
I urge all OPDs across South Sudan to unite behind a single, powerful national agenda. This is our moment to speak with one voice: mobilizing voters, conducting civic education, monitoring polling accessibility, and holding political actors accountable to the UNCRPD.
I call upon the Media Authority of South Sudan to enforce its mandate for inclusive and accessible election coverage. Furthermore, I urge editors, reporters, and broadcasters to act as champions of inclusion. Bring the perspectives of voters with disabilities to the forefront, use respectful and accurate language, provide sign language interpretation, and hold institutions accountable.
Political parties must move beyond symbolic gestures. We must see qualified candidates with disabilities nominated for winnable seats, campaign strategies designed to reach all voters, and disability rights integrated directly into party manifestos and leadership structures.
We deeply appreciate the ongoing support of UNMISS, UNDP, the African Union, IGAD, the diplomatic community, and international observers. We ask that you continue to prioritize and integrate accessibility and disability-inclusive reforms into all technical and financial electoral assistance.
The true strength of a democracy is measured by the extent to which its most vulnerable citizens can participate equally. South Sudan has already laid the legal foundations; what remains is the political will to implement them.
By delivering an accessible, peaceful, and genuinely inclusive election, South Sudan will send a powerful message to Africa and the world: our democracy belongs to every citizen, without exception.
The ballot belongs to all South Sudanese. Every vote matters, every citizen counts, and no person with a disability should ever again be left behind.
Stephen Dhieu Kuach, PhD, is a South Sudanese governance and public policy expert, researcher, environmental advocate, and author. His work focuses on climate change, environmental governance, sustainable development, humanitarian resilience, peacebuilding, and public policy in fragile and conflict-affected settings across East Africa. Contact: dr.stephen.dhieu@gmail.com
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