JUBA — South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Monday urged political parties and other stakeholders to keep the just-launched Inter-Party Political Dialogue focused on election-related matters rather than political negotiations.
Kiir made the remarks on Thursday while officially opening the two-week Inter-Party Political Dialogue in Juba, held under the theme “Towards Peaceful, Inclusive, Transparent, and Credible Elections.”
“This inter-party dialogue is not a place for negotiations and disagreement. It is not a place to shift the direction of the path that we have taken. It is not a place to hold us back,” Kiir said.
He warned that the dialogue should not become a platform for negotiations, disagreements, or attempts to change the direction of the electoral process.
“It is not a place to shift the direction of the path that we have taken. It is not a place to hold us back. Instead, its main purpose is for all of us to agree on a path to a peaceful and reasonable result,” Kiir said.
Kiir said the dialogue should provide an opportunity for political parties and stakeholders to agree on a path towards a peaceful and orderly election.
“This inter-party dialogue must focus its value on election-related matters. It is an opportunity for all of us to create a clear roadmap for concluding the election. However, if we must not contradict what the election laws have put in place.”
Kiir said the journey towards the December 22, 2026, general elections is guided by legal, administrative, and logistical security and political dialogue tracks.
He called on participants to use the forum to establish a clear roadmap for concluding the electoral process while respecting the existing election laws.
Dr. Martin Elia Lomuro, Rapporteur of the Inter-Party Dialogue, said the dialogue has opened a platform for political parties and other stakeholders to engage on key issues and build consensus ahead of the December 22, 2026, general elections.
Lomuro said the dialogue provides an opportunity for political actors to address strategic issues, reach common ground, and agree on measures needed to move the country towards democratic elections.
“The Inter-Party Dialogue provides a platform for South Sudanese political parties and stakeholders to engage with one another, address strategic issues, build consensus, and agree on political measures necessary for the country to proceed towards peaceful, democratic, and credible elections,” a speaker at the opening said.
The dialogue is expected to provide space for political parties and stakeholders to discuss election-related concerns and identify areas of agreement as preparations for the December polls continue.
