South Sudan’s peace sponsors jittery as Juba kicks off voter drive

But, as the country kicked off the preparations for the December polls, critics have warned that the country isn’t ready. Institutions remain weak, insecurity persists across the country and civic education is lacking.

The cornerstones of the 2018 peace deal, such as a permanent constitution and a joint army that integrates the armed opposition forces, are not in place.

“R-ARCSS Agreement has been dishonoured, and South Sudan shall never be the same again!” said Oyet Nathaniel Pierino, acting chairman of SPLM/A- IO, the main opposition political party led primarily by suspended Vice-President Riek Machar, who is currently in detention.

“It is now evident that President Kiir is not interested in political reforms and a system of government called federalism, which would have solved half of the problems of South Sudan,” Mr Pierino said.

There is a myriad of questions, including which constitutional framework will govern the elections, given that the transitional Constitution has been repeatedly amended to incorporate the R-ARCSS.

“What are the implications of conducting elections without a census and a permanent constitution? How might this impact the legitimacy of the electoral outcome? All these concerns create a cloud of doubt regarding elections preparedness,” said Prof Joseph Geng, a member of the African Network of Constitutional Lawyers and editor of the Horn of Africa blog.

According to Peter Garang Geng, a lecturer and head of Research and Publication Department at the School of Law, University of Juba, with only five months to the election, significant challenges remain.

“… a pulse check by a non-partisan and right-thinking ‘constitutional physician’ would likely yield a worrying diagnosis: That the prospects of holding the elections as scheduled remain uncertain and, indeed, increasingly unlikely,” Mr Geng said.

In its July 29 report for April 1 to June 30, 2026, the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) said South Sudan’s peace process remains under serious pressure, despite some progress in implementing the Revitalised Peace Agreement.

The RJMEC’s interim chairperson Aggrey George Owinow raised “serious concerns,” that a majority of the commission’s members opposed the amendments for risking collapse of the R-ARCSS.

“Although preparations continued for the anticipated general election, there are unresolved legal and political issues, incomplete Transitional Security Arrangements, restrictions on civic and political space, inadequate funding, population displacement, insecurity in various parts of the country, and uncertainty surrounding the inclusivity of the political process,” Mr Owinow said.

In particular, the RJMEC warned that “the proposed amendments would alter the structure and architecture of the R-ARCSS, undermining its legal foundation, and abrogating its supremacy.”

It would also weaken the oversight role of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (Igad) and the African Union as guarantors, urging that changes should “preserve its integrity, legality, and continuity.”

The RJMEC also criticised the manner in which the decision by the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity to submit proposed amendments to the R-ARCSS to the Transitional National Legislative Assembly for ratification without its consent as required under Article 8.4 of the Agreement.

“Whereas the Council of Ministers subsequently dropped amendments to Articles 8.2 and 8.3 of the R-ARCSS as recommended by the RJMEC, the amendment did not follow the due process as per the R-ARCSS,” Mr Owinow said.

The RJMEC also highlighted the security situation, which it says remained fragile during this period.

While some areas experienced relative calm, repeated clashes between SSPDF and SPLA-IO forces were reported in parts of Upper Nile, Jonglei, Unity and Equatorial regions.

“Consequently, implementation of the permanent ceasefire remains partial and inconsistent.

Key security mechanisms remained non-operational, while Phase II of the unification of forces, DDR activities, and security sector reforms remained stalled,” Mr Owinow added.

The RJMEC now wants the parties to the agreement and relevant stakeholders, including the executive of the RTGoNU, TNL, Igad, the African Union, and the international partners and friends of South Sudan, to reinforce adherence to the R-ARCSS, mitigate the risk of renewed conflict, and support the timely conduct of elections.

“We want all parties to immediately cease hostile rhetoric, halt all military confrontations, and recommit to full implementation of the R-ARCSS in letter and spirit,” their report recommends.

“Embrace an all-inclusive political dialogue on unresolved political and security related issues as recommended by the AU C5 Plus Declaration; adhere to the Permanent Ceasefire, prioritize completion of Transitional Security Arrangements and support the reactivation of all security mechanisms.”

But, while persistent mistrust among leaders in Juba and unresolved disputes over constitutional amendments challenge the supremacy of the R-ARCSS, experts recommend that South Sudan hold elections despite all the challenges.