The Chairperson of the South Sudan Political Parties Council (PPC), James Akol Zakayo, announced on Wednesday that no armed political parties are currently operating in the country. He affirmed that all registered parties have disarmed and now function as civilian organizations focused on political objectives. This development marks a significant shift towards institutionalized civilian governance in South Sudan.
Akol made the statement at the Inter-Party Political Dialogue in Juba, where he also reported that the PPC has successfully validated and reviewed a final list of 46 political parties eligible to appear on the ballot. He described this as a "historic shift" and noted that the SPLM-IO has transitioned from an armed faction into an officially registered and constitutionally compliant political party.
The PPC Chairperson emphasized that all registered parties must comply with the council's rules and regulations. He warned that any party found violating these rules would face immediate suspension. Akol stated, "Non-compliance moving forward will result in immediate legislative suspension. Even if you are registered and you happen to be moving forward non-compliant, your plan will be suspended."
To ensure smooth operations and resolve disputes, the PPC has established an Inter-Party Mediation Committee (IPMC). This committee, composed of independent experts and civil society observers, will resolve internal disputes, manage political tensions, and prevent institutional gridlock. The IPMC will adjudicate all inter-party leadership structures and inter-party boundary or campaign disputes within a strict 48-hour window.
If IPMC mediation fails, the matter will be immediately referred to the specialized electoral division of the Judiciary of South Sudan, in coordination with the National Election Commission. This move aims to prevent disputes from escalating and ensure a peaceful electoral process.
The PPC plans to initiate localized workshops in October to train all 46 registered political parties on grassroots voter outreach, poll watching, and non-violent organization. These workshops will equip parties with the necessary skills to engage with voters and conduct themselves peacefully during the electoral process.
Finally, Akol announced that the PPC is offering a "time-limited window until October 15th for any exiled or boycotting political groups to sign the electoral protocol and legally register their candidates, provided they formally renounce political violence." This opportunity allows parties that have been excluded or have chosen not to participate to join the electoral process.
Key points
- All registered political parties in South Sudan have disarmed and now operate as civilian organizations.
- The PPC has validated 46 political parties eligible to appear on the ballot.
- The Inter-Party Mediation Committee will resolve internal disputes and manage political tensions within a 48-hour window.
