Arabic version: أساقفة جنوب السودان يحثون على الحوار قبل انتخابات ديسمبر

According to Allafrica, Catholic bishops in South Sudan have urged political leaders, institutions and citizens to put peace, dialogue and constitutional order first before elections scheduled for December 22, 2026. The appeal followed the bishops’ annual assembly in Juba, held from July 15 to 17.

The bishops said the country faces serious economic pressures, including sharp currency depreciation and soaring prices for goods and services. They also cited continuing violence involving armed groups and security forces, as well as what they described as the encroachment of Uganda People’s Defence Forces into South Sudan’s southern borders.

In their statement, released by Sr. Laurencila Akinyi of the Franciscan Sisters of St. Anne, the bishops expressed concern about the planned election date because it coincides with Christmas. They said a “looming transitional and constitutional crisis” exists whether the elections go ahead or not.

The church leaders appealed to the international community and humanitarian partners to increase support for people affected by food insecurity. Recurrent flooding has damaged large parts of the country, destroying crops and weakening the livelihoods of thousands of families, they said.

The bishops also reaffirmed the need to implement the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement fully and in good faith. They called for electoral decisions to be grounded in dialogue, mutual trust, constitutional order and the common good, while urging South Sudanese to reject violence, hatred, tribalism and misinformation.