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POLITICS: 39 political parties legally registered as the 2026 election looms

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By Sabri Dibaco

The Chairperson of the Political Parties Council (PPC), James Akol, has announced that South Sudan now has 39 legally registered political parties.

Akol expressed that turn-up signaled growing political participation as the country moves toward its anticipated elections.

Akol made the announcement on Thursday while addressing participants during a meeting on the implementation and progress of the peace agreement.

“We have 39 political parties legally registered, and the registered political parties have expressed their readiness to participate in the country’s forthcoming elections,” Akol said.

His remarks come at a time when South Sudan is intensifying preparations for its first general elections since gaining independence in 2011.

The government and electoral institutions have recently stepped up efforts to advance the electoral process following the National Legislature’s approval of amendments to the revitalised peace agreement.

The amendments removed the requirement to complete a national population and housing census and the permanent constitution-making process before elections can be conducted.

Government officials have argued that the changes are intended to allow citizens to exercise their democratic right to elect their leaders through the ballot.

The Political Parties Council is mandated to regulate, register, and oversee political parties in accordance with the Political Parties Act, promoting multiparty democracy and ensuring political parties operate within the law.

The announcement that 39 parties are now legally registered is expected to broaden political competition ahead of the planned elections, although several key provisions of the peace agreement, including aspects of the security arrangements and constitutional reforms, remain under implementation.

South Sudan’s transitional government has repeatedly stated its commitment to holding peaceful, credible, and inclusive elections as part of the implementation of the revitalised agreement on the resolution of the conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), signed in 2018 to end years of civil conflict.

The list of parties that are officially registered with the PPC as of this date is as follows:

  1. African National Congress (ANC) – Gen. (Rtd) George Kongor Arop
  2. Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) – Gen. Salva Kir Mayardit
  3. United Sudan African Party (USAP) – Prof. Ajang Al Bior
  4. United Democratic Salvation Front – Mainstream (UDSF-M) – Francis Ben Ataba
  5. National Liberation Party (NLP) – Nkrumah Waden Kelueljang
  6. National Congress Party (NCP) – Agnes Poni Lokudu
  7. Democratic Change Party (DC) – Onyoti Adigo Nyikwec
  8. South Sudan Democratic Forum (SSDF) – Martin Elia Lomuro
  9. United South Sudan Party (USSP) – Paulino Lukudu Obede
  10. National United Democratic Front (NUDF) – Kornelio Kon Ngu
  11. South Sudan Democratic Alliance (SSDA) – Paskalina Philip Waden
  12. Sudan African National Union – National (SANU-National) – Theresa Cirisio (Deceased)
  13. United Democratic Salvation Front (UDSF) – Rev. Emmanuel Sokiri Lugor
  14. National Democratic Party (NDP) – James Aniceto
  15. United Democratic Party (UDP) – Tong Lual Ayat
  16. Federal Democratic Party (FDP) – Galdong Nyanyek Bkhok
  1. United Democratic Front (UDF) – Bona Deng
  2. Communist Party of South Sudan (CPSS) – Joseph Wol Modesto
  3. Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) – Albino John Lako
  4. South Sudan African National Union (SSANU) – Philip Palet Loth Maa Tang
  5. Generation Party (GP) – Juma Seed
  6. South Sudan National Party (SSNP) – Stephen Goro
  7. National Democratic Front (NDF) – Anthony Agiem Makuc Akol
  8. Republican Party of South Sudan (RPSS) – Abdall Deng N.
  9. Akut Bam Party (ABP) – Adv. Jeremiah Mayen
  10. Popular Congress Party (PCP) – Leader not listed
  11. South Sudan Generation Party (SSGP) – Leader not listed
  12. National Justice Movement (NJM) – Matur Mayende Rak
  13. Labor Party (LP) – James Andrea
  14. Social Democratic Party (SDP) – Rain Ayen Deng
  15. National Patriotic Movement (NPM) – Issa Muzamil Sebit
  16. South Sudan Democratic Front (SSDF) – Davide De-Chan
  17. People’s United Forum (PUF) – Gai Chol Paul
  18. People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) – Josephine Joseph Lagu Yanga
  19. IO Party (IOP) – Amb. Stephen Par Koul
  20. National Democratic Movement (NDM) – Lam Akol Ajawin
  21. South Sudan National Movement for Change (SSNMC) – Moro Isaac Jenesio
  22. People’s Liberal Party (PLP) – Peter Mayen Majongdit
  23. Revive South Sudan Party (RSSP) – Mawien Dot Pheot

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