The President of the African National Congress (ANC), Gen. George Kongor Arop, has expressed concerns about rushing into elections in South Sudan without ensuring their credibility. He argues that sham elections could pose greater risks to the nation than extending the transitional period. Speaking at the launch of a three-day extraordinary meeting of the leadership council in Juba, Kongor emphasized the importance of credible elections.
Kongor stated that elections lacking credibility could exacerbate South Sudan's ongoing crisis. He stressed that the country deserves political competition based on ideas and programs rather than armed mobilization. The ANC President asserted that the nation-building process requires integrity and credibility. He used a brick-laying analogy, saying that a solid brick is preferable to a rotten one.
The ANC supports elections, but Gen. Kongor made it clear that they do not endorse elections without the minimal political, legal, security, and civic conditions necessary for them to be credible. He emphasized that the announced date of December 22, 2026, must not be seen merely as another date in the political calendar. The elections are essential for closing the chapter on the prolonged transition and opening a new chapter of democratic legitimacy.
Albino Akol Atak, Secretary General of the ANC, stated that the Leadership Council meeting would address the party's readiness for the elections, the status of the implementation of the R-ARCSS, prospects for peace, and the performance of party structures at all levels. The meeting reviewed the Secretariat General Performance Report and reports from states and administrative areas.
Akol added that the ANC is a non-violent party that supports peace initiatives and the establishment of conditions that allow for peaceful, free, and credible political competition. The ANC believes that South Sudan requires a political system in which differences are resolved through dialogue and democratic processes rather than conflict.
The three-day meeting, which included 45 members of the Leadership Council representing the 10 states and three administrative areas, with participation from women and youth, concluded on Sunday in Juba. The meeting provided an opportunity for the party to account for its achievements, acknowledge shortcomings, and strengthen the party where necessary.
Gen. Kongor's statement highlights the ANC's stance on the importance of credible elections in South Sudan. The party's position is clear: they support elections, but only if the necessary conditions are met. The ANC's emphasis on credible elections reflects its commitment to democratic legitimacy and the nation's stability.
Key points
- ANC President Gen. George Kongor Arop cautions against rushed elections in South Sudan.
- The ANC supports elections, but only if they are credible and meet certain conditions.
- The party emphasizes the importance of democratic legitimacy and stability in South Sudan.
