YAMBIO, Western Equatoria State, 4 August 2026 – The Government of Western Equatoria State has pledged to support peaceful and secure elections following the launch of the state’s civic and voter education campaign ahead of South Sudan’s general elections on 22 December 2026.
Speaking to journalists after the launch in Yambio on Tuesday, Governor Badagbu Daniel Rimbasa said the campaign was an important step towards getting citizens ready to take part in the vote.
The Governor said civic and voter education would teach people how to register, how voting works on polling day, and what the constitution says about their right to choose their leaders.
He said the state government would work with security institutions and the National Elections Commission to keep the electoral period calm.
“The government remains committed to guaranteeing the safety of voter educators, election officials, polling stations, and all citizens participating in the electoral process,” the Governor said.
He added that Western Equatoria was ready to support the conduct of the elections, and said he expected the state to provide the security and stability that peaceful polling requires.
“Our commitment remains firm. Elections must take place, and Western Equatoria will do everything possible to ensure they are conducted peacefully, freely, and securely,” Rimbasa said.
The Chairperson of the Western Equatoria State High Elections Committee, Simon Bakaba Monday, said the launch moved the state on to the practical work of preparing voters. He said technical problems had held the exercise up, but that the committee was now in a position to run the programme across the state.
“Today we are pleased to officially launch civic and voter education in Western Equatoria State. We appreciate the presence of His Excellency the Governor and the commitment shown by government institutions, development partners, civil society organizations, women, youth, persons with disabilities, and other stakeholders to support this important process,” Simon Bakaba Monday said.
He said cooperation among those groups would help produce elections that are peaceful, credible, free, fair and inclusive.
Wanga Emmanuel, Chairperson of the Western Equatoria State Civil Society Network, called the launch a historic step in carrying out the electoral process set out in the constitution.
He urged the national government to give the National Elections Commission the money and the logistical support it needs, and warned that little time remains before the scheduled polling date.
“The people have made it clear that they do not want any further extension of the electoral timeline. They want elections to be held as scheduled,” Emmanuel said.
He also asked the government to provide enough security for election officials, civic educators, voters and others taking part in the process.
Emmanuel said the vote is a basic democratic right. Holding elections on time and without violence, he said, would strengthen democracy, uphold national sovereignty and let South Sudanese choose their leaders at the ballot box.