A Call for Unity and Genuine Peace: Analyzing the New Year’s Message from Hon. Joseph Makuer Nyieth, Chairman of the National Parties Alliance
Introduction
On January 1, 2026, Hon. Joseph Makuer Nyieth, Chairman of the National Parties Alliance (NPA)—an umbrella group of holdout and marginalized opposition political parties in South Sudan—issued a heartfelt message to the people of South Sudan. Timed to coincide with Christmas celebrations and the dawn of the new year, the statement combines seasonal greetings with a profound appeal for national unity, reconciliation, and prudent preparation ahead of the scheduled December 2026 general elections.
The message reflects the NPA’s longstanding position as a non-signatory “holdout” group to the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS). While expressing unwavering commitment to peace and democracy, it cautions against rushing into elections without addressing foundational issues, echoing concerns raised by other opposition voices and international observers in recent months.
This article examines the full text of the message, its historical and political context, the nine specific steps proposed for pre-election preparation, and the broader implications for South Sudan’s fragile transition.
The Message in Full: A Blend of Hope and Caution
The statement begins with warm seasonal greetings: “Merry Christmas filled with the joy of family, reflection, and hope, and a Happy New Year brimming with renewed strength, unity, and blessings from the Almighty.” It acknowledges the nation’s arduous journey since independence in 2011, through civil war, the 2018 R-ARCSS, and the extended transitional period.
Nyieth highlights the resilience of South Sudanese people amid economic hardship, displacement, and division, describing it as “testimony to the unbreakable spirit” of the nation. As 2026 approaches—with elections set for December—the message urges citizens to “come together as one family and firmly reject the paths of war, chaos, and division.”
Central to the appeal is a call for the government to prioritize national unity over hasty elections. While endorsing “free, fair, and inclusive” polls, Nyieth warns that unprepared elections risk “undermining peace and triggering fresh instability,” potentially serving only to “extend the status quo.”
The message culminates in optimism: “Let 2026 be the year we choose unity over division, peace over conflict, and hope over despair.” It reaffirms the NPA’s readiness to contribute constructively to an inclusive process.
Who is Hon. Joseph Makuer Nyieth and the NPA?
Joseph Makuer Nyieth (often referred to as Joseph Nyieth in reports) leads the National Parties Alliance, a coalition of political parties operating outside the main R-ARCSS framework. The NPA represents “holdout” groups—those that did not fully join the 2018 peace deal or feel marginalized within the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU).
In December 2025, Nyieth issued a similar statement dismissing President Salva Kiir’s election plans as “premature,” arguing that essential political, security, and legal conditions remain unmet. The NPA has consistently advocated for broader inclusion of non-signatories, genuine dialogue, and full R-ARCSS implementation before polls.
Unlike signatory opposition groups such as the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO) or the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA), holdouts like the NPA operate with limited representation in the transitional government, amplifying their calls for reforms to ensure fairness.
Contextualizing the Message: South Sudan’s Political Landscape in Early 2026
South Sudan’s first post-independence elections, originally envisioned under the R-ARCSS, have been postponed multiple times due to delays in security unification, constitution-making, census conduct, and funding shortages. The latest extension, agreed in September 2024, shifted polls to December 2026, with the transitional period running until February 2027.
Recent developments have heightened tensions:
- Late 2025 amendments to the R-ARCSS aimed at “delinking” elections from prerequisites like a permanent constitution and census, allowing use of the 2011 Transitional Constitution.
- Criticism from opposition factions, civil society, and international partners (including the Troika and UN) that these changes were unilateral and erode trust.
- Ongoing intercommunal violence, humanitarian crises, and stalled transitional justice mechanisms.
The NPA’s message aligns with these concerns, positioning the group as a voice for caution amid government assertions that elections will proceed without further delays.
Breaking Down the Nine Proposed Steps
Nyieth outlines nine “urgent” actions the government must take to ensure credible, peaceful elections. These directly reference unfulfilled R-ARCSS provisions:
- Accelerate unification of forces: Complete graduation, deployment, and integration of Necessary Unified Forces to form a neutral national army and police.
- Conduct a credible national census: Essential for fair constituency delimitation and resource allocation.
- Advance permanent constitution-making: Expedite inclusive drafting and adoption of a people-driven constitution.
- Operationalize election institutions: Fully fund and empower bodies like the National Elections Commission and Political Parties Council.
- Open civic and political space: Guarantee freedoms of expression, assembly, and movement; end harassment.
- Engage in inclusive national dialogue: Consult all stakeholders, including holdouts, women, youth, and faith leaders.
- Promote transitional justice: Establish mechanisms like the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation and Healing.
- Prioritize humanitarian access and economic recovery: Combat corruption, stabilize the economy, and ensure aid delivery.
- Secure international support: Collaborate with IGAD, AU, UN for monitoring and assistance.
These steps emphasize that elections should build on peace, not precede it—a view shared by monitors like the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), which has repeatedly noted stalled progress.
Implications and the Path Forward
The message underscores a critical juncture for South Sudan. With less than a year until elections, unresolved issues risk undermining legitimacy and sparking instability. Holdout groups like the NPA could play a pivotal role if included in dialogue, potentially broadening consensus.
International stakeholders continue urging accelerated R-ARCSS implementation, resource mobilization, and inclusive processes. As Nyieth states, these steps “are not optional—they are the foundation upon which true democracy and lasting peace must be built.”
In a nation marked by resilience amid adversity, messages like this serve as reminders of shared aspirations. Whether 2026 becomes a year of unity or further division depends on heeding such calls for preparation, dialogue, and genuine commitment to the people’s will.
As South Sudanese reflect on the holidays and look ahead, Hon. Nyieth’s words resonate: Together, a proud, secure, and empowered nation is possible. May the new year bring progress toward that vision.
