South Sudan’s National Election Preparations Face Growing Rights and Security Concerns

Human Rights Research Center
2 hours ago
3 min read

August 27, 2026

HRRC believes that South Sudan's elections should be judged not only by whether they take place, but by whether citizens can meaningfully exercise their political rights. With key preparations incomplete and civic space under pressure, authorities should prioritise conditions that allow voters, political parties, journalists and civil society groups to participate without fear or intimidation.

A woman prepares to vote in the 2011 election in South Sudan [Image credit: Wikimedia Commons]

South Sudan is moving ahead with preparations for its first national elections since independence as renewed fighting and restrictions on political freedoms raise concerns over the safety and rights of voters.

The country is scheduled to vote on December 22, 2026. The National Elections Commission has launched civic and voter education programmes in several states, while President Salva Kiir has called for election preparations to be accelerated.

However, key parts of the electoral process remain unfinished. Voter registration, election security arrangements and other key preparations are still pending, raising questions over whether the country can complete the process before December.

The election is also being organised under a peace agreement that remains incomplete. The 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement was intended to end the civil war and guide the country towards elections, but major tasks, including the unification of government and opposition forces, remain unresolved.

Political freedoms are also under pressure. Human rights groups in South Sudan have warned that restrictions on freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and political participation could undermine the credibility of the election, with journalists, civil society groups and human rights defenders facing growing pressure.

The concerns come as civilians continue to suffer widespread violence. Between January and March, 767 civilians were killed, 457 injured and 93 abducted, while 71 people were subjected to conflict-related sexual violence, showing an aparent trend in weaponising his kind of violence.

Fighting has also continued in Upper Nile, Jonglei and Unity states, with clashes also reported in Western and Central Equatoria. 407 ceasefire violations were recorded between August 2025 and January 2026, highlighting the continued strain on the peace process.

The violence is also worsening an already severe humanitarian crisis in which about 10 million people are expected to need assistance in 2026, including 7.5 million facing acute food insecurity.

A recent human rights assessment has also warned that renewed conflict, political exclusion, weakened institutions and limited accountability are increasing the risk of atrocious crimes, including crimes against humanity and war crimes.

After 15 years without a national vote, the December election could mark a decisive step in South Sudan's political transition. Its success, however, will depend not only on holding the polls, but on on protecting civic space, allowing political actors and civil society groups to participate freely, and ensuring voters can register and cast their ballots without fear or intimidation.

Glossary

Accountability – The quality or state of being accountable.
Acute food insecurity - When a person’s inability to consume adequate food puts their lives or livelihoods in immediate danger
Civic participation – The involvement of private actors, including citizens and civil society organizations, in the public sphere to influence decision-making and pursue common goals, often requiring direct or indirect interactions with governmental and institutional entities.
Credibility – Quality of inspiring belief.
Electoral process - The established method by which individuals are selected for public office. It encompasses all the steps involved, from the casting of ballots to the final counting of votes to determine election results.
Freedom of expression - The right to speak, to be heard, and to participate in political, artistic, and social life.
Humanitarian crisis - An event (or series of events) that poses a critical threat to the health, safety, security, and/or well-being of a large group of people.
Human rights abuses - The infringement of fundamental rights and freedoms that every individual is entitled to, regardless of nationality, gender, ethnicity, or religion.
National election- A process in which people vote to choose a person or group of people to hold an official position.
Peaceful assembly -A right afforded under the constitution for people to meat peacefully and discuss important matters.
Political exclusion - The denial of citizenship rights such as political participation and the right to organise, and also of personal security, the rule of law, freedom of expression and equality of opportunity.
Political freedom - The set of rights and real-world conditions that let people take part in politics, speak openly, organize with others, and challenge power without the state blocking them for no legitimate reason.
Sexual violence - Any sexual activity that happened without consent.
Strain – Put pressure on something.
Voter education - The dissemination of information, materials and programmes designed to inform voters about the specifics and mechanics of the voting process for a particular election.

References

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South Sudan’s National Election Preparations Face Growing Rights and Security Concerns

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