South Sudan Electoral Preparedness Forum: Assessing Electoral Preparedness Ahead of South Sudan’s December 2026 General Elections

The African Inter-Party Dialogue Network (AIPDN) participated in the South Sudan Country Electoral Preparedness Forum, convened by the East and Horn of Africa Election Observation Network (E-HORN) under the Action for a Holistic Electoral Approach to Democracy (AHEAD) Project on 23 to 24 September 2026 in Juba, South Sudan.

The Forum brought together national and regional stakeholders to assess South Sudan’s preparedness for the scheduled December 2026 General Elections, review progress made since the 2024 Country Forum, and identify priority actions for the remaining electoral period.

Discussions focused on electoral and legal reforms, the preparedness of the National Elections Commission, voter registration and civic education, election observation, stakeholder coordination, civic and political space, and emerging risks, including misinformation, disinformation, hate speech, and electoral violence.

The Forum provided a platform for constructive dialogue and regional peer learning, with participants developing practical recommendations and an action matrix outlining priority interventions, responsible institutions, and indicative timelines.

Building on their collaboration, AIPDN and E-HORN also reaffirmed their commitment to continued engagement through joint activities and initiatives throughout 2026 and 2027.