The National Alliance of Political Parties, a grouping within South Sudan’s Other Political Parties (OPP), signed a declaration on Saturday committing to peaceful political competition, respect for the rule of law and the rejection of violence ahead of general elections scheduled for Dec. 22.
The declaration, signed together with other political parties and civil society organisations, commits the signatories to promote political dialogue, reject violence and hate speech, and support an environment for peaceful participation in the electoral process.
The signing comes as South Sudan prepares for what would be its first general elections since gaining independence in 2011 after repeated extensions of the transitional period under the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan.
Kornelio Kon Ngu, chairperson of the National Alliance of Political Parties, urged political leaders to embrace democracy and peaceful political competition.
“We must embrace democracy, reject violence and promote peaceful political competition as the foundation for credible elections,” he said.
Albino Akol Atak, secretary general of the Other Political Parties, described the declaration as an important step towards free, fair and credible elections and called on political parties to prepare for the Dec. 22, 2026 polls.
He said electoral institutions and citizens each had a responsibility to ensure a credible vote.
“The institutions tasked with conducting the elections must know their roles, and the people of South Sudan must also know theirs. That is how we will achieve a credible electoral environment,” he said.
Mayen Jeremiah, a leader of the South Sudan Generation Party, said the declaration reaffirmed the signatories’ commitment to nonviolence, national unity and peaceful political engagement.
“We are ready for the elections on Dec. 22 as political parties,” he said.
Taban Luka, secretary general of the National Agenda Political Party, said the elections offered an opportunity to advance peace, democracy and sustainable development, while opposing another extension of the transitional period.
“We are ready for elections in December 2026. There is no reason to continue extending the transitional period,” Luka said.
“We have already had more than three extensions. If we continue extending the transition while hoping for a better future, then we are deceiving ourselves.”
South Sudan is scheduled to hold general elections on Dec. 22, 2026, after repeated delays to the timetable set out in the 2018 peace agreement that ended a five-year civil war. The vote would be the country’s first since independence in 2011. However, several key provisions of the peace agreement, including the unification of forces, the permanent constitution making process and electoral preparations, remain incomplete, raising concerns over the country’s readiness for the polls.
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