Press Statement From The South Sudan Human Rights Defenders Network (SSHRDN)

For Immediate Release

PRESS STATEMENT

SSHRDN Concludes Electoral Learning and Mentorship Visit to Kenya and Commits to Independent Monitoring of South Sudan's 2026 Electoral Process

Nairobi, Kenya | August 7th 2026

(Pachodo.org) - The South Sudan Human Rights Defenders Network (SSHRDN), in collaboration with the South Sudan Human Rights Commission, has concluded a week-long learning and mentorship visit to Nairobi, Kenya, aimed at strengthening the capacity of human rights defenders and institutions to effectively engage in and monitor South Sudan's electoral process ahead of the general elections scheduled for 22 December 2026.

The visit provided an opportunity to learn from Kenya's experiences in electoral governance, civic participation, election observation, electoral dispute resolution, protection of civic space, media engagement, and the management of election-related tensions. The delegation engaged with governance institutions, civil society organizations, legal practitioners, and democracy experts to draw lessons relevant to South Sudan's unique political and electoral context.

The delegation learned that credible and peaceful elections are not defined solely by polling day. Rather, they are determined by the extent to which citizens can participate freely in political processes, express their views without fear, access impartial information, and exercise their constitutional rights in an environment free from intimidation, violence, and discrimination.

Among the key lessons from the mentorship visit were the importance of robust civic and voter education, the central role of independent electoral institutions, the need for effective electoral dispute resolution mechanisms, and the importance of safeguarding civic and political freedoms throughout the electoral cycle. The delegation also learned about strategies for addressing hate speech, misinformation, disinformation, and political incitement, which have increasingly become threats to democratic processes across the region.

As South Sudan approaches its first democratic elections since independence, SSHRDN notes that significant challenges remain. These include concerns regarding civic and political space, public confidence in institutions, electoral preparedness, access to information, political tolerance, and the protection of fundamental freedoms.

SSHRDN announces the establishment of a comprehensive Electoral Civic Space and Human Rights Monitoring Initiative that will independently assess and document developments throughout the electoral process.

The initiative will focus on:

• Monitoring civic and political space and assessing respect for freedoms of expression, association, assembly, and political participation.
• Tracking voter registration processes to ensure inclusivity, transparency, accessibility, and equal participation of all eligible citizens.
• Monitoring public statements, speeches, campaign messages, and online communications by political leaders, candidates, and political parties to identify hate speech, incitement to violence, misinformation, disinformation, and other forms of harmful rhetoric.
• Monitoring the conduct of state and non-state actors, including the actions of security agencies, public authorities, political parties, and community leaders during the electoral period.
• Monitoring the use of public resources by political parties, candidates, and their agents
• Documenting and reporting incidents of intimidation, harassment, arbitrary arrests, violence, restrictions on civic actors, and other human rights violations linked to the electoral process.
• Assessing the participation and representation of women, youth, persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons, returnees, and other marginalized groups.
• Engaging citizens and communities through civic education and awareness initiatives to promote informed and peaceful participation in the electoral process.
• Producing periodic public reports on electoral preparedness, civic space, political participation, and the overall human rights environment.

The Head of SSHRDN Secretariat, James Bidal, said the credibility of the December 2026 elections will largely depend on the existence of an enabling environment in which all political actors can compete fairly, and citizens can participate freely without fear of reprisals.

Therefore, SSHRDN calls upon the Government of the Republic of South Sudan to guarantee and protect civic and political freedoms, ensure the independence and effectiveness of electoral institutions, and uphold its obligations under national, regional, and international human rights standards. We further urge political parties and candidates to refrain from inflammatory rhetoric, hate speech, and actions that may incite violence or undermine public confidence in the electoral process.

“We urge the National Elections Commission, the Political Parties Council, security institutions, civil society organizations, the media, regional bodies, and international partners to play their respective roles in ensuring that the electoral process is transparent, peaceful, inclusive, and credible”. Bidal reiterated. 

The people of South Sudan deserve an electoral process that reflects their aspirations for peace, democracy, accountability, and constitutional governance. As human rights defenders, we remain committed to promoting democratic participation, protecting civic space, and ensuring that human rights remain at the center of the country's democratic transition.

Issued by:
South Sudan Human Rights Defenders Network (SSHRDN)

Nairobi, Kenya
7th August 2026

For inquiries: Call: +254141290996/WhatsApp +254741616338

The South Sudan Delegation with staff of the host organization, the National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders - Kenya