South Sudanese refugees in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as those who have voluntarily returned home, have expressed mixed reactions to the country's upcoming elections on December 22, 2026. The elections come as President Salva Kiir dissolved the transitional government, marking the end of the transitional administration established under the 2018 peace agreement. Many who fled violence and instability hope that a peaceful political transition could create conditions for stability and allow them to return home.
For some refugees, the prospect of elections has revived hopes for a better future. Susan Tabu, a South Sudanese refugee living in Uganda's Imvepi refugee settlement, said she hopes the December elections would create conditions for refugees to return home and rebuild their lives. Life in the refugee settlement has become increasingly difficult, and Tabu urged leaders to listen to their cries and ensure a peaceful transition. She emphasized the need for peace so that children can go to school and people can live without fear of conflict.
Other refugees and returnees also welcomed the planned elections. Franko Cons, a returnee from the Meri refugee settlement in the Democratic Republic of Congo, said he fled South Sudan in 2016 and was happy to have returned home. Cons called for the elections to be successful and for people to be able to vote freely without harm. He emphasized that elections are a process and that people should exercise their rights without fear.
However, not all refugees and returnees are optimistic about the elections. Some remain cautious, questioning whether the political and security environment is ready for a credible and peaceful vote. The UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan has warned that elections without adequate safeguards and inclusive political dialogue could risk deepening divisions and conflict.
Despite these concerns, many returnees are hopeful that the elections will produce a positive outcome. Victoria Dawa, a returnee from Uganda, said she hopes the elections will allow South Sudan to focus on developing the country. She emphasized that South Sudanese should not have to continue fleeing their homes because of conflict and that they need peace to live peacefully in their country.
Francis Duku, another returnee from Uganda's Bidi Bidi refugee settlement, welcomed President Kiir's decision to hold elections this year. He said the vote would give citizens an opportunity to exercise their political rights after years of conflict and displacement. Duku emphasized that returnees want peace, not conflict, and that they want the elections to take place peacefully.
According to UNHCR, more than 2.3 million South Sudanese refugees remain hosted mainly in Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya, while more than 500,000 South Sudanese refugees have returned to the country since the signing of the 2018 peace agreement. The mixed reactions from refugees and returnees highlight the complexities and challenges surrounding the upcoming elections in South Sudan.
Key points
- The UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan has warned that elections without adequate safeguards and inclusive political dialogue could risk deepening divisions and conflict.
- More than 2.3 million South Sudanese refugees remain hosted mainly in Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya.
- President Salva Kiir dissolved the transitional government, marking the end of the transitional administration established under the 2018 peace agreement.
