By Emmanuel Mandella

In the countdown to the December 2026 elections, a round table discussion of various stakeholder from Western Equatoria have enlisted key issues that the government should realign before the upcoming polls,

From unification of armed forces to the dire need for infrastructure development and civic education, the speakers signaled the country’s leadership to take up the challenge, roll up sleeves and deliver on the agenda.

The roundtable conversation was aired at a local radio station in Yambio on Thursday.

The program, focusing on the roadmap to democratic electoral processes, offered a platform for citizens to express their hopes and concerns about the upcoming election.

One of the most compelling voices was of Phillip Khamis Nando, an internally displaced person (IDP) who fled violence in Tombura County and now resides in Yambio.

“We need one army, not factions. We need roads to reach polling stations. We need peace to vote. How can elections be credible when refugees are still in camps across the border and we haven’t even conducted a census?” Khamis questioned.

His concern reflects the broader reality of South Sudan’s fragile peace although the guns have mostly fallen silent, the peace deal remains only partially implemented. Key components such as the unification of forces into a single national army and the repatriation of displaced persons are cutting down the steps towards the upcoming elections.

For her part Mrs. Norah Augustino, a women’s leader in Yambio, stressed on the urgent need for civic education to create awareness and understanding to the public.

“Our people don’t understand what elections mean. We must train women, youth, and traditional leaders because they are the heartbeat of their communities. If they are empowered, the electoral process will be inclusive and peaceful,” she said.

Norah emphasized the importance of reaching rural populations early, before misinformation and fear cloud the electoral environment. She urged the government and development partners to begin voter education campaigns now long before the ballot boxes arrive.

On his part, Thomas Patrick Hiriwo, a member of the State High Committee for Elections in Western Equatoria, assured listeners that steps are being taken to lay the groundwork for a credible election.

“We are in the pre-election phase. The voices of the people must guide the process. Citizens will be at the center, and we are committed to ensuring that the elections are genuinely democratic and inclusive,” he noted.

South Sudan’s 2026 election is widely viewed as a test of the country’s commitment to peace and democratic governance after years of civil war. However, the road to the ballot remains bumpy.