Juba, 3 October 2026 – The Chairperson of the National Elections Commission (NEC), Hon. Gabriel Bol Deng, has held a courtesy meeting with His Eminence Cardinal Dr. Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla to discuss South Sudan’s forthcoming electoral process and the important role of the Church in promoting peace, dialogue and responsible participation.
Hon. Deng was accompanied by Hon. Josephine Achiro Fortelo, Commissioner for Supervision of Political Parties and Relations, and Mr. Ahon Malou, Acting Secretary General of the National Elections Commission.
During the meeting, the NEC Chairperson reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to an inclusive, transparent, peaceful and credible electoral process, stressing that elections should contribute to national unity, trust and responsible citizenship.
“Elections should not be viewed merely as the act of voting, but as a national process that should strengthen unity, peace, trust and responsible citizenship,” Hon. Deng stressed.
He emphasized that the Commission could not deliver the electoral process alone and underscored the importance of cooperation with religious institutions, political parties, civil society, traditional leaders and citizens.
His Eminence Cardinal Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla reaffirmed the Catholic Church’s support for democratic elections and emphasized dialogue as the peaceful means through which political differences should be addressed.
“Leadership should ultimately derive its legitimacy from the people through an electoral process,” the Cardinal said.
The Cardinal encouraged South Sudanese political actors to work together and agree on how elections could be conducted transparently and peacefully, while stressing that political, social and economic differences should be resolved through dialogue rather than violence.
“Our political, social and economic differences can be discussed and resolved peacefully. Guns should no longer be regarded as a means of resolving our disagreements,” he said.
The meeting underscored the importance of continued cooperation between the NEC, the Church and other national stakeholders in supporting peaceful participation, tolerance, national ownership and a credible democratic electoral process.
