AU C5 Calls for Inclusive Political Process Ahead of South Sudan’s December 2026 Elections

JUBA, South Sudan — September 30, 2026

African leaders have called on South Sudan’s government and political parties to accelerate preparations for the country’s planned December 2026 elections while strengthening political dialogue, peace and conditions for an inclusive electoral process.

The call followed a virtual summit of the African Union High-Level Ad Hoc Committee on South Sudan, known as the C5 Plus, held on Tuesday, September 29. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa chaired the meeting, which included President Salva Kiir Mayardit and representatives of the African Union, IGAD and other regional partners.

The summit reviewed recent political developments in South Sudan, including the dissolution of the Transitional Government on September 22, amendments to the National Elections Act and the launch of an Inter-Party Political Dialogue on September 24. The election is scheduled for December 22, 2026.

In its recommendations, the C5 Plus said the Revitalised Peace Agreement should remain the main framework governing South Sudan’s political transition. It called on the parties to comply with the agreement, uphold the permanent ceasefire and avoid unilateral actions that could undermine it.

The summit also urged the government to establish a feasible, consensual and time-bound electoral roadmap setting out the legal basis and sequencing of the elections. It called for adequate and timely domestic funding for electoral and transitional institutions and for political, legal, technical, security and operational requirements to be addressed.

Another recommendation concerned political detentions. While acknowledging South Sudan’s sovereignty and judicial processes, the summit called for the release of people it described as arbitrarily detained on political grounds and for due-process rights and humane treatment for those facing judicial proceedings. This wording represents the C5 Plus position as stated by the summit chair.

Ramaphosa said elections alone would not guarantee peace and democracy and emphasized dialogue and an inclusive political environment. The C5 Plus said responsibility for implementing the agreed measures rests primarily with South Sudan’s government and political parties, while the AU, IGAD and international partners can provide support.

The latest intervention comes as preparations continue for what is planned to be South Sudan’s first general election since independence in 2011, making the electoral process a major focus of South Sudan news in the final months of 2026.