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South Sudan will launch an inter-party dialogue next month involving all political parties, including holdout groups outside the peace process, in a renewed effort to build consensus ahead of the country’s planned December 2026 elections.

The announcement on the official Facebook page of the Office of the Senior Envoy on Special Programs, emerged from a high-level forum held in Juba on Saturday in honour of former Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, bringing together government officials, political leaders, civil society representatives, regional organizations, and international partners to discuss the country’s electoral roadmap.

Participants described the upcoming elections as the most viable pathway for transitioning South Sudan from a transitional administration to a democratically elected government and emphasized the need for inclusive political engagement to ensure a credible electoral process.

The forum, held under the theme “The Road to December 2026 Elections,” was attended by representatives of the African Union (AU), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (R-JMEC), government institutions, political parties, and development partners.

Delegates said the planned inter-party dialogue will seek to bring together all political actors, including groups that have yet to join the peace process, to foster national consensus and strengthen political inclusivity ahead of the polls.

The broad-based political participation would be essential to building public confidence in the electoral process and ensuring that all stakeholders contribute to shaping South Sudan’s democratic future.

While expressing optimism about the electoral timetable, delegates acknowledged several challenges that could affect preparations, including funding shortages, security concerns, and delays in implementing key provisions of the Revitalized Peace Agreement.

Security issues featured prominently during the discussions, with participants stressing the need to complete the integration, graduation, and deployment of the Necessary Unified Forces before elections are held.

Delegates argued that a secure environment would be critical for conducting free, fair, and peaceful elections and ensuring the safety of voters, candidates, and election officials.

The forum also highlighted the importance of sustained cooperation between South Sudanese institutions and regional and international partners in supporting both the electoral process and the broader peace implementation agenda.

Participants reaffirmed their commitment to supporting South Sudan’s democratic transition and called for continued political dialogue, stronger cooperation among stakeholders, and increased efforts to keep the December 2026 electoral roadmap on track.

The engagement concluded with renewed calls for collective action to ensure that the elections contribute to lasting peace, national unity, and democratic governance in South Sudan.