Arrangements to hold long-awaited elections in South Sudan in December remain insufficient, the Security Council heard today, as speakers called for urgent action so that the world's youngest nation can finally complete its transition to a stable, democratic Government.
While the Council's last briefing on this topic in April largely focused on the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) ahead of its renewal later that month, today's meeting centred on upcoming elections, which have already been postponed multiple years.
"Concerns are growing about whether conditions necessary for credible, peaceful and inclusive elections can be established in time," said Anita Kiki Gbeho, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for South Sudan and Head of UNMISS.
These, in turn, must be viewed against a backdrop of other interconnected challenges, she said, including armed confrontation - particularly in Jonglei state - as well as cycles of community violence in Warrap and Lakes states. Further, the humanitarian situation remains "extremely concerning". She noted that more than 420,000 people have been displaced by violence between January and June.
Civilians Bear Brunt of Multiple Crises
She noted that South Sudan hosts 1.4 million people who have fled the conflict in Sudan, and that cholera remains a threat, placing additional strain on already fragile systems. In 2026 alone, 36 humanitarian workers have been killed and 391 access incidents recorded - a significant increase compared to the same period in 2025.
"The political, security, humanitarian and economic constraints that have shaped the transition over recent years largely remain in place," she said, and the political environment remains fragmented. These realities continue to affect the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement and preparations for elections.
Meanwhile, UNMISS is implementing its revised mandate, she said, focusing on the priorities established by the Council: Protecting civilians, facilitating humanitarian assistance, supporting the peace process and promoting human rights. "Our focus remains firmly on the people of South Sudan," she emphasized.
To achieve long-sought progress, the fighting must stop, she assured. Civilians and humanitarians must be protected, political actors must return to dialogue and an objective, realistic assessment must be made of "the minimum conditions necessary" for the conduct of credible elections. While the situation remains serious, it is not beyond remedy. "This moment can still become a turning point towards the ultimate objective - peace," she said.
Election Preparations 'Way Behind' Schedule
Warning of the consequences "if urgent, firm and decisive steps are not taken to unlock the status quo" was George Aggrey Owinow, Interim Chairperson of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission , the oversight body for the Revitalised Peace Agreement. He, too, said that progress in South Sudan has been constrained by persistent political and security issues.
He noted that the transitional Government recently took steps to delink the Constitution and national census from the elections slated for December, and that it did so without the due process required by the Revitalised Peace Agreement. While preparations for those elections are ongoing - "albeit way behind schedule" - the critical prerequisites for holding them remain unmet.
He called on the Council to support full implementation of the Revitalised Peace Agreement and promote an inclusive South Sudanese political dialogue. The Council should also urge the parties to de-escalate, enhance support for South Sudanese electoral bodies, strengthen transitional-justice mechanisms and consider visiting Juba to engage all stakeholders on a peaceful way forward.
Also briefing the Council was Lilian Riziq, Founder and President of the South Sudan Women's Empowerment Network, who recalled her last address in September 2022 when she reported that women and girls are bearing the heaviest burden of violence. "Nearly four years later, I regret to report that many of those concerns remain unresolved," she said. Extended transition periods, renewed insecurity, deteriorating humanitarian conditions and slow implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement have exacerbated their vulnerability.
Women Face 'Regular Exploitation', as Perpetrators Enjoy Impunity
These overlapping crises have created an environment where women face regular exploitation and gender-based violence. She pointed out that nearly 65 per cent of women and girls in South Sudan experience some form of that violence during their lifetime. And conflict-related sexual violence continues to be weaponized, with a 147 per cent increase in civilian victims between July and September 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
"The greatest tragedy," she emphasized, "lies not only in the persistence of these crimes, but in the impunity with which they are committed." Nevertheless, she stressed that South Sudanese women are not just victims - they are peacebuilders and community organizers even though they are heavily underrepresented in peace mechanisms and the Government. Against that backdrop, she underlined the need for protection mandates for women and girls, for their full and equal participation in transitional justice and for political consensus to hold credible elections.
Many Council members took the floor to stress the importance of holding free, fair and credible elections in December, including the representative of Bahrain. Elections are essential to bring the transition to a "legitimate conclusion", said Pakistan's representative, noting that the political, legal, security and financial requirements necessary to hold them remain outstanding. "These gaps need to be filled," he stressed.
Yet, those elections must consolidate peace rather than deepen political division, stressed the representative of Somalia, also speaking for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Liberia. "The success of the transition should therefore be measured not solely by adherence to electoral timelines, but by the extent to which the process is inclusive, peaceful, transparent and enjoys broad public confidence," he stressed.
"The South Sudanese people must be able to choose their representatives and hold them to account," stated the representative of the United Kingdom, adding that public resources must be managed transparently. "Only 2 per cent of the national budget is spent on health and education," she said.
The representative of the United States stressed that upcoming elections must be held - funded by South Sudan's public resources - as its leaders have, for years, "distracted the international community with insincere election talks to attract donor assistance while perpetuating the humanitarian, economic and security crisis". She said "peacekeepers cannot manufacture political will where none exists", adding that 84 of 86 violations of the status-of-forces agreement recorded between April and July involve Government-imposed restrictions.
Speakers Object to Detention of Opposition Figures, Call for Confidence-Building Measures
Other Council members also decried restrictions affecting UNMISS. "We note with outrage the continued restrictions on UNMISS' freedom of movement," said Panama's representative. "Any mission - however small it may be - requires a State committed to guarantee its access, its safety and its capacity to operate," stressed the representative of Colombia. The representative of Denmark, Council President for August, spoke in her national capacity to point out that, ultimately, the consequences of continued violations of the status-of-forces agreement are borne by the people of South Sudan.
Greece's representative added another point of criticism against the transitional authorities: The detention of Vice President Riek Machar and other political figures. Latvia's representative called for the release of these political detainees as "an urgent confidence-building measure", while the representative of France pointed out that the African Union has repeatedly called on South Sudanese authorities to end the prosecution of persons detained for political reasons.
By contrast, the representative of the Russian Federation said that South Sudan "desperately needs practical assistance and not just criticism". Relatedly, she underlined the need to lift or ease the arms embargo , which prevents Juba from outfitting the national army. "The young republic needs unified, viable and effective Armed Forces," she said. Similarly, China's representative urged the international community to play a more constructive role, including through adjusting or lifting sanctions. "Improving the economy and people's livelihoods is an effective means of support," he observed.
Election Challenges 'Manageable', South Sudan Insists, Affirms Juba's Cooperation with UNMISS
Responding to the concerns expressed today, South Sudan's representative said that his country remains committed to "ensuring that all legal processes are conducted in accordance with the Constitution". He added that "no individual - irrespective of political position or public office - should be considered above the law, just as every individual is guaranteed due process". And, while challenges related to elections remain, they are "manageable", he stressed.
Moreover, the principal obstacles are well-known, he said: "Insecurity caused by armed groups, severe economic constraints exacerbated by the sanctions regime and the need for greater clarity regarding the benchmarks for lifting those measures". As for alleged violations pertaining to UNMISS, he stressed: "Under no circumstances should these be termed as Government-derived hindrances."
Reaffirming the Government's commitment to constructive cooperation with all its partners, he concluded: "The people of South Sudan deserve peace, stability and opportunity to determine their future through democratic means. That remains our unwavering commitment."
