South Sudan leaders urge international intervention to prevent election-related violence

Civil society leader Edmund Yakani has called for urgent intervention from the African Union, IGAD, and the United Nations to prevent South Sudan from returning to war. Speaking in Juba, Yakani, the Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), warned that disputes regarding the amended National Election Act have significantly increased political friction and the risk of violence ahead of the December 2026 elections.

Yakani urged international bodies to deploy a solidarity mission to resolve political disagreements rather than merely issuing statements. He cautioned national leaders against using military force or political harassment to settle disputes, stating that democracy cannot be nurtured through the “barrel of the gun.”

In a related expression of concern, residents of the Juba 3 internally displaced persons (IDP) camp also called for an end to conflict during International Day of Peace commemorations. Community members and representatives from the Nonviolent Peaceforce emphasized the need for peaceful coexistence and greater government attention to the security, education, and healthcare needs of displaced populations as the country approaches its upcoming elections.