The Office of the President continues to drive the national agenda under the leadership of H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit. This latest engagement reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to advancing South Sudan’s developmental and peace objectives as the nation prepares for its upcoming democratic transition.

JUBA, 9 October 2026 — His Excellency, President Salva Kiir Mayardit has returned to Juba following regional visits to Kenya and South Africa, where he held high-level talks with Presidents William Ruto and Cyril Ramaphosa on South Sudan’s preparations for the December 2026 general elections, peacebuilding efforts, and regional economic cooperation.

The engagements focused on strengthening diplomatic ties and mobilizing technical and logistical support to facilitate the country’s electoral process.

In both  Nairobi and Pretoria, President Kiir affirmed that the necessary legal steps for elections had been completed, while administrative, logistical, and financial preparations were ongoing and inter-party dialogue was nearing conclusion. Both leaders emphasized that successful elections would strengthen peace and security across East Africa, the Horn of Africa, and the wider continent.

In Pretoria, President Kiir thanked President Ramaphosa for his leadership of the AU High-Level Ad Hoc Committee on South Sudan (C5), and acknowledged South Africa’s longstanding solidarity during the implementation of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the 2011 independence referendum.

The President of the Republic outlined electoral progress, including the National Elections Commission’s headquarters, civic education, identification of voter registration centers, recruitment of more than election workers, training of election security personnel, and printing of the voter registration ledger. He requested South African assistance with Commission-branded ballot boxes, specialized staff training within South Sudan, security personnel uniforms, and digital identification cards for election officials and operational staff.

President Ramaphosa welcomed the progress, reaffirming support for peaceful, inclusive, fair, and credible elections, including electoral materials and assistance with electoral supervision. Both sides agreed to immediate technical follow-up, concluding a regional mission aimed at translating diplomatic partnerships into practical electoral support, lasting peace, and economic development.

— Analysis and additional reporting by Juba Global News Network.