By Kei Emmanuel Duku
South Sudan’s democratic ambitions are hanging by a thread, with a leading policy expert warning that only a massive security overhaul and a peace-first strategy can prevent the 2026 elections from collapsing into renewed national chaos.
In a hard-hitting policy statement released Tuesday, January 6, 2026, Boboya James Edimond, the Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Social Policy and Research (ISPR), argued that the path to a credible transition is currently blocked by a wall of insecurity and institutional failure. His report, titled “Addressing Escalating Violence and Enabling a Credible Democratic Transition in South Sudan,” calls for a multi-layered strategy that fuses military reform with deep-rooted political dialogue.
“Stabilizing this nation is not just about casting ballots; it requires a strategy that integrates security, political reform, and civic engagement,” Edimond asserted. “The first and most urgent priority is an effective ceasefire. Without sustained security, no political process in this country can be considered credible.”
The ISPR chief is demanding a renewed ceasefire agreement, one backed by teeth in the form of strong monitoring from Inter Governmental Authority on Development-IGAD, the African Union, and Peace Keeping Mission-UNMISS. He insisted that enforcement measures must include independent observers and clear consequences for those who violate the peace.
“Protecting civilians in hotspots like Jonglei and Unity State must be prioritized,” Edimond noted. “We need to reduce displacement and rebuild trust, or we risk losing the people’s faith entirely.”
Edimond’s statement describes the current implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement (R-ARCSS) as dangerously slow. He categorized security sector reform as a “national emergency,” calling for the immediate training and professionalization of a unified armed force under a single command.
“We cannot afford more delays,” he warned. “The National Elections Commission and the Political Parties Council are not yet fully functional or resourced. These gaps raise serious doubts about the country’s ability to administer a free and fair vote.”
While the government remains officially committed to a December 2026 election date, Edimond cautioned that current realities present profound risks. He argued that ongoing fighting makes safe campaigning and voter registration nearly impossible in conflict-affected areas.
“Elections are the product of functioning institutions,” Edimond stated. “If we hold elections under these conditions, we risk undermining the spirit of the peace agreement and exposing our civilians to intimidation rather than empowering them.”
To bridge the widening political divide, the ISPR CEO proposed a genuinely inclusive national dialogue involving traditional leaders, women, youth, and opposition groups to address root grievances like resource allocation and power-sharing.
“Agreement on election timelines must be collectively negotiated, not imposed,” Edimond concluded. “A peace-first, conditions-based approach is the only realistic pathway. We must anchor our democracy in peace, not just deadlines, to avoid reversing the fragile gains we have made since 2018.”
South Sudan is currently at a crossroads as it approaches the end of the transition period defined by the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement. Despite the Extended Roadmaps intended to provide more time for key benchmarks, essential tasks including the permanent constitutional review and the unification of the national army remain incomplete.
As the National Elections Commission begins preliminary preparations for the 2026 polls, it remains to be seen whether the country can technically hold a vote without first achieving the comprehensive security reforms and judicial independence necessary to handle potential electoral disputes.