South Sudan Deputy Minister Urges Public to Embrace Elections, Beware of False Promises

Call for Electoral Participation

JUBA – The Deputy Minister of Information, Communication, Technology and Postal Services, David Yau Yau, has called on South Sudanese citizens to actively participate in the upcoming general elections without fear. Speaking at a stakeholder validation workshop in Juba, Yau Yau emphasized that elections are crucial for assessing political leaders’ competence.

Elections as a Democratic Process

“If you have the opportunity to participate, you can know whether you are competent enough or not. It’s a very good game. People should not fear it. We should participate with all the energy that we can,” Yau Yau stated during the workshop focused on media communication strategy for the elections.

The Deputy Minister acknowledged common campaign tactics, saying: “I know politicians normally create a lot of stories during campaigns to confuse voters, but reality always comes after. Let us identify the areas of need and what can take us forward—then we can say we’ve had credible, free, and fair elections.”

Warning Against False Promises

Yau Yau cautioned voters to be vigilant against misleading campaign promises, stressing that elections provide citizens with an opportunity to demonstrate their confidence (or lack thereof) in political leaders.

Workshop Details

The event, organized by the Media Authority and National Communication Authority, was themed “Unpacking Elections Media Communication Matrix.” It comes as South Sudan prepares for its first general elections since independence in 2011.

Election Timeline Update

Minister of Information Michael Makuei recently confirmed that general elections have been rescheduled for December 2026, despite ongoing political violence in some regions. The government maintains its commitment to creating favorable conditions for credible elections.

Background on Election Delays

Originally planned for December 2024, the elections were postponed after the transitional government secured a two-year extension. This decision followed President Salva Kiir’s signing of Amendment Number 12 to the Transitional Constitution in September 2024, which officially extended the electoral roadmap.

The delays stem from challenges in implementing key aspects of the 2018 peace agreement, particularly regarding security arrangements, constitutional reforms, and electoral infrastructure development.