Much has been written about our country’s first post-independence elections, scheduled for December 22, 2026. From what I have read, one thing is clear: opinions are sharply divided. Those within the incumbent government largely appear to back the polls, while a section of civil society and opposition groups seem to oppose them.
I write this piece to add my voice, and I fully support the conduct of the elections on December 22, 2026, though I advocate for peaceful regime change.
As President Salva Kiir Mayardit has said, he wants the election to end the current oversized government. Despite the unfinished procedures and widespread fears that the vote may be rigged, I say let us proceed with the election if the government is truly genuine in its conduct. Whether I participate as a candidate or not, I fully support the election for the following reasons:
1. It will produce a lean government composed solely of the SPLM-IG, drawing a clear line between the ruling party and those who currently call themselves opposition but have turned into sycophants.
2. We will have a large number of political parties within the country that can genuinely function as real opposition and help keep the ruling party in check.
3. The opposition parties both inside and outside the country will have no choice but to form a non-military alliance and work for change, not as separate entities but as one united opposition party.
4. The opposition will speak openly for the rights of citizens when they are left out of government, for no one can speak truthfully with a bone in their mouth.
I call upon all opposition parties outside the government to show leadership by engaging in dialogue among themselves and emerging with one leader and one goal: to bring change to this country. Having many fragmented opposition groups suggests they are more interested in positions than in the welfare of this nation and its innocent citizens.
Calling for dialogue when you have not done your own homework is futile. Come forward with a unified position. Those in government will present theirs, and civil society can add its perspective. Then the country can quickly reach a comprehensive agreement that will lead us out of this crisis.
Come together as Junubeen, not as tribes.
The writer is a former presidential advisor.
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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