Civil society leader Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), has urged the African Union to take practical and concrete action to support South Sudan's electoral process. With elections scheduled for December 2026, Yakani emphasized the need for stronger engagement between the AU and South Sudanese institutions. This call comes ahead of a meeting of the African Union High-Level Ad Hoc Committee on South Sudan, known as the AUC5, which aims to support the country's peace process and political transition.
The AUC5, a five-member body established to support South Sudan's peace process, will discuss ways to strengthen cooperation between the government and all signatories to the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement. Yakani stressed that the AU's recent assessment of South Sudan's election preparedness should guide technical engagement with national institutions on the conditions required for credible elections. He emphasized that the assessment should move beyond recommendations and lead to concrete actions that support the electoral process.
Yakani's call for action comes as the AU's assessment examined South Sudan's readiness for the planned December 2026 elections, including the political, legal, security, and technical conditions required for a peaceful poll. The assessment aimed to identify areas that require support to ensure a credible and peaceful electoral process. Yakani's organization, CEPO, is likely to play a key role in promoting citizen engagement and participation in the electoral process.
The Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) has been actively involved in promoting peace and stability in South Sudan. As the country prepares for elections, CEPO and other civil society organizations are working to ensure that citizens have a strong voice in the electoral process. Yakani's call for AU action reflects the concerns of many South Sudanese citizens who want to see a peaceful and credible transition of power.
The African Union High-Level Ad Hoc Committee on South Sudan, known as the AUC5, plays a critical role in supporting the country's peace process and political transition. The committee's meeting is expected to focus on ways to support the implementation of the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement and ensure a peaceful and credible electoral process. The AUC5's efforts are crucial in promoting stability and peace in South Sudan.
Yakani emphasized that the elections should be credible, inclusive, peaceful, free, and fair, with citizens having confidence in the process. He urged the AUC5 to make practical and concrete decisions that support the South Sudanese government and parties signatory to the revitalized agreement in championing a pathway for elections that meet these standards. The success of the electoral process will depend on the level of cooperation between the government, civil society, and international partners.
The outcome of the AUC5's meeting and the level of AU engagement with South Sudanese institutions will be closely watched by citizens and international observers. The African Union's support for a peaceful and credible electoral process is critical in promoting stability and peace in South Sudan. As the country prepares for elections, the AU's actions will play a significant role in shaping the country's future.
Key points
- Edmund Yakani calls for stronger AU engagement with South Sudanese institutions to ensure credible and peaceful elections in December.
- The African Union's recent assessment of South Sudan's election preparedness should guide technical engagement with national institutions on the conditions required for credible elections.
- Yakani urges the AUC5 to make practical and concrete decisions that support the South Sudanese government and parties signatory to the revitalized agreement in championing a pathway for credible elections.
