When South Sudan raised its beautiful flag on July 9, 2011, citizens celebrated the birth of a new nation with hopes and promises for freedom, democracy, and dignity. Yet fifteen years later, not a single national election has been held. Citizens have never chosen their leaders at the ballot box. Instead, power has been shuffled through peace deals, military threats, and closed-door compromises.
The election scheduled for December 2026 is, therefore, more than a date on the calendar—it is a defining test of whether South Sudan can finally fulfill the dream of independence.
Youth associations such as the Duk County Youth Association (DCYA), the Bor Community Youth Association (BCYA), and the Twic East Youth Association (TEYA) have already shown the nation the urgency of instilling democratic values. Their recent democratic activities are a testament to the fact that young people, who make up the majority of the population, are ready for leaders who come to power through ballots.
For too long, our country has been trapped in a cycle of conflict and transition. The 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement made it clear: elections would conclude the interim period and return authority to the people. Yet deadlines have slipped again and again—first 2022, then 2024. Each delay has eroded public trust. Another postponement would send the dangerous message that leaders do not believe in their people, and it could drag the country back toward instability.
The stakes could not be higher. A credible, peaceful, and transparent election would mark the first time South Sudanese citizens could grant legitimacy through the ballot, not the barrel of a gun. It would compel leaders to listen to farmers in Yambio, traders in Wau, displaced families in Bentiu, doctors in Juba Teaching Hospital, and classroom teachers across the nation.
Elections also breathe life into institutions we desperately need. A strong electoral commission, independent courts, and a respected constitution are not luxuries—they are the foundations of a functioning state. Without them, South Sudan risks remaining in endless transition.
Yes, there are risks. Elections in fragile states can trigger violence if mismanaged. But postponement is no safer. It fuels mistrust, widens divisions, and deepens the crisis of legitimacy. What matters now is preparation: ensuring security so voters can cast ballots without fear, opening political space so all voices can be heard, and guaranteeing that women, youth, and displaced communities—who make up the majority of the population—are not silenced.
The international community is watching. A credible 2026 election could restore South Sudan’s reputation, attract investment, and bring renewed support for reconstruction. But failure would isolate the country further and betray the promise of independence.
South Sudanese people deserve more than endless transition. We deserve leaders chosen by us—not imposed through deals struck in Addis Ababa or Nairobi. The 2026 election is not just another political milestone. It is the moment to prove that our young nation can take control of its destiny.
The writer, David Malual Wuor Kuany, is based in Juba and writes on education, peacebuilding, and democratic transformation in South Sudan. He can be reached at kdavidmalual@gmail.com.
The views expressed in ‘opinion’ articles published by Radio Tamazuj are solely those of the writer. The veracity of any claims made is the responsibility of the author, not Radio Tamazuj.