Despite yet another delay in the country’s long-awaited general elections, many South Sudanese remain hopeful for a future of lasting peace after years of conflict and political instability.
The postponement of the vote, originally scheduled for December 2024, has stirred frustrations but also reinforced the public’s deep yearning for reconciliation and stability.
The elections, seen as a critical step toward consolidating peace after the 2018 revitalized peace agreement, were delayed following disagreements among political leaders over the electoral process and security concerns in regions still recovering from the country’s civil war.
President Salva Kiir’s government cited logistical challenges and the need for more time to prepare. Opposition leaders, while critical of the delay, have urged calm and continued dialogue.
The news of the delay has left many citizens disappointed but not without hope. In the capital Juba, streets were calm as people expressed a mixture of patience and anxiety.
“We have been waiting for so long, but peace is more important than rushing the elections,” said Mary Aluel, a mother of three who was displaced by the war.
“We want our leaders to agree on a way forward so that we don’t go back to fighting.”
South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011 but quickly descended into civil war in 2013, a conflict that killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions.
The peace deal signed in 2018 brought a fragile end to the fighting, but implementation has been slow, and key provisions such as security sector reform and the unification of forces have faced numerous setbacks.
With the elections now tentatively rescheduled for 2025, the people of South Sudan remain focused on peacebuilding efforts at the community level. In towns and villages, local peace committees continue to work on conflict resolution, often mediating disputes between rival ethnic groups.
Church leaders, women’s groups, and youth organizations have also played pivotal roles in fostering dialogue and reconciliation.
“We cannot rely on politicians alone to bring peace. It starts with us,” said Deng Malith, a youth leader in the northern town of Malakal.
“If we want a peaceful future, we must resolve our differences, whether elections come next year or later.”
International observers have echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of grassroots efforts in sustaining peace. The African Union and the United Nations have called on South Sudan’s leaders to use the extended time to address key challenges, including improving security and ensuring a fair and transparent electoral process.
As the country looks ahead to 2025, many South Sudanese remain cautiously optimistic. While the delay has extended the uncertainty surrounding the political transition, the desire for peace remains strong. For many, the hope is that, with or without elections, the country can continue to move toward a future free of the violence that has defined much of its past.
“We want peace more than anything,” said Peter Yien, a teacher in Juba.
“Elections are important, but they must come when the time is right—when we are ready to build a country that can stand together in peace.”
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