A three-day training workshop on non-violent resolution of electoral disputes concluded in Rumbek on Saturday, with participants urging wider grassroots awareness ahead of South Sudan’s general elections scheduled for December 2026.
The training, organised by the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) and funded by the European Union, brought together 30 representatives from political parties, civil society groups, women’s organisations, youth, the media and government institutions.
Daniel Laat Kon, CEPO’s coordinator in Lakes State, told Radio Tamazuj the workshop focused on helping communities understand potential sources of electoral disputes and mechanisms for resolving them peacefully.
“This training aims to ensure citizens know what may occur during the pre-election period, including nomination and registration, and where complainants can go for help,” he said. “Participants have promised to take this knowledge to their communities.”
He thanked CEPO’s partners, including the Friedrich Ebert Foundation and the Centre for Governance, Peace and Justice.
Benjamin Matiok Mangui, clerk of the Lakes State Revitalised Transitional Legislative Assembly, said civil society and parliament “speak for the people” and both have a role in ensuring credible elections.
On the question of whether elections will take place in 2026, he said, “South Sudanese know elections may or may not happen,” adding that delays in political dialogue could affect preparations.
Lakes State Elections Commission chairperson Prof. Kot Kuocnin warned against calls from some participants that power be transferred to the army should elections fail to proceed next year.
“In least developed countries, if you hand over power to the army you will never get it back,” he said, citing Sudan as an example. He urged continued mobilisation and voter education instead.
State Minister of Peacebuilding Nyanhok Malou Marial, representing the SPLM-IO and other political groups, said the training had helped clarify what communities should expect ahead of the polls. She called for similar sessions to be extended to rural areas where access to information remains limited.
“For the past four years, Lakes State has remained peaceful because we worked for it. If we maintain that until elections, we will have peaceful polls,” she said.
Mamuor Ajuong Moot, SPLM assistant secretary for administration and finance, said parties had been briefed on institutions responsible for handling electoral disputes, including the National Elections Commission, the Constitutional Review Commission and the judiciary.
He added that the SPLM is prepared for elections at all levels and has already endorsed President Salva Kiir as its national candidate and incumbent governor Rin Tueny Mabor for the state seat.