Whether or not, and if, when, and then, how? Open questions on South Sudan’s first elections planned for December 2024 abound. On the one hand is the people’s demonstrated will for election to happen rather sooner than later, on the other is the magnitude of challenges against the backdrop of slow implementation of the peace agreement – and fear that an election gone wrong could exacerbate violence and humanitarian crises.
The FES South Sudan Office in March 2023 convened select civil society members, political decision-makers, and academics from South Sudan for discussions on how to deliver a credible vote in conversation with international electoral experts. This paper co-authored by Nic Cheeseman, Luka Biong and Edmund Yakani reflects and builds on the group’s discussion, highlighting key challenges, trade-offs, and policy options. None other than South Sudanese can and should determine which way the world’s youngest country will chart forward. We hope that this discussion paper may contribute to vibrant and informed public debate on how (not) to hold elections that will put South Sudan on the path to a democratic and peaceful future.