Political Parties Council headquarters in Juba - Courtesy

JUBA, South Sudan – The Chairperson of the Political Parties Council (PPC), Engineer Akol Zakayo, has warned registered political parties to submit their audited financial reports by the first week of July or risk facing administrative penalties, including possible disqualification from electoral processes.

Zakayo made the remarks during the opening session of a five-day training workshop for political parties in Juba on Monday. The training is organized by the Political Parties Council in collaboration with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

He said the requirement is a legal obligation aimed at promoting transparency and accountability ahead of the country’s anticipated elections.

“Some people may ask why the PPC is demanding financial audits right now. The answer is very simple. It is a statutory requirement to ensure accountability ahead of the upcoming electoral processes,” Zakayo said.

According to him, South Sudan’s laws require political parties to demonstrate transparency in their sources of funding and expenditures through audited books of accounts.

“That is the reason why we need audited books of account,” he added.

The PPC chairperson cautioned that failure to comply with the requirement within the stipulated timeframe would constitute a violation of the Political Parties Act.

“If a registered political party fails to submit the audited books of account by the first week of July, that will be a breach of compliance and a violation of the Political Parties Act,” Zakayo warned.

He said parties that fail to submit their financial reports on time would face strict regulatory consequences.

“Failing to submit audited statements on time will attract strict regulatory consequences, which may include administrative penalties or disqualification,” he said.

The workshop is being held under the theme, “Enhancing Civic and Political Space through Strengthened Political Party Systems,” and seeks to build the capacity of political parties in governance, conflict resolution, and digital operations.