Analysis: Juba’s Election Dialogue Needs an Inclusive, Published Roadmap
President Kiir opened an inter-party dialogue on 24 September, and his office says administrative, financial and logistical work for the proposed December vote continues. The South African presidency’s 7 October readout, however, urged full adherence to the 2018 peace agreement and an inclusive election based on trust and cooperation.
The SPLM/A-IO statement supplied to South Sudan Press, dated 9 October, rejects a unilateral process and questions the court hearing Riek Machar’s case. These are the movement’s allegations and positions; the statement does not independently prove judicial interference. The existence of a Juba dialogue therefore establishes a process, but does not establish consensus among all key signatories.
What progress would look like
Publish the full participant list, decisions, dissenting positions and a dated electoral roadmap; clarify the place of the 2018 agreement and how excluded groups can join. The NEC should disclose voter registration, polling, procurement and security milestones. This is our assessment of measurable tests, not an assertion that an election must be cancelled or that agreement has already been reached.