Members of the Political Parties Council and members of the political parties during a five-day training in Juba.

The Political Parties Council (PPC) has launched a five-day workshop for representatives of registered political parties to strengthen their preparedness for the country’s anticipated general elections.

The training, held under the theme, “Enhancing Civic and Political Space Through Strengthened Political Party Systems,” aims to build the capacity of political parties in governance, conflict resolution, and digital operations.

Speaking during the opening ceremony in Juba, the Chairperson of the Political Parties Council, Engineer James Akol Zakayo, said the workshop is intended to promote peaceful political engagement and improve transparency in the electoral process.

Zakayo emphasized the importance of the council’s newly introduced digital registration system, describing it as a key tool for ensuring transparency, efficiency, and accountability in party management.

“There will be no extension for the date that we have mentioned,” he said.

“This advanced registration system was specifically commissioned to serve as an impartial and transparent guard for effective and modernized operations. It streamlines party enrollment, verifies state-by-state membership requirements, and eliminates duplicate registrations to ensure every citizen’s political affiliation is legally protected.”

He added that the digital platform is not merely an administrative requirement but a foundation for democratic participation and equal political competition.

“The digital infrastructure you are learning to use today is not a bureaucratic hurdle. It is the democratic foundation built to guarantee equal competition, transparency, and legal compliance under the Political Parties Act 2012, as amended in 2022,” Zakayo stated.

Representing the international community, Grace Maina from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Political Affairs Division urged political parties to uphold peace, respect democratic principles, and prioritize the national interest during the electoral process.

“In closing, I encourage political parties to commit to peaceful engagement, respect for democratic norms, and place national interest above partisan differences,” Maina said.

“The choices made today will shape the credibility of the transition and the future stability of South Sudan.”

The workshop is being organized by the Political Parties Council with support from the UNMISS Political Affairs Division.