Workshop Boosts Civic Know-How in Yambio
More than thirty young people, university students and activists gathered at Yambio’s Tourist Hotel for a one-day workshop led by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan and the State Elections Commission on Wednesday.
This aimed to give participants practical tools for civic engagement, electoral participation and inclusivity ahead of the country’s first general elections since independence, scheduled for late 2026.
Youth as Catalysts for Voter Education
State Elections Chairperson Simon Bakama told the room that it is now the duty of young citizens to explain ballot procedures to neighbours and highlight the importance of choosing leaders from the presidency to the boma level.
High-Level Commission spokesperson Simon Sarawasi echoed that view, describing youth and civil society organisations as ‘vital ambassadors’ for credible information and mass mobilisation throughout the electoral cycle.
UNMISS Emphasizes Peaceful Participation
Dr. Sonny Onyebula from UNMISS Human Rights applauded the audience’s energy, stressing that peaceful, inclusive governance depends on young men and women exercising their right to vote, be elected and motivate peers to stay non-violent.
He reminded participants that South Sudan’s reputation in the region will hinge not only on turnout numbers but also on the calm atmosphere surrounding the polls.
Toward a Credible First General Election
Civil society leader Michael Dakpara Peter underlined that elections begin with ongoing civic education, not on polling day, adding that every citizen aged eighteen or above holds the constitutional power to shape national direction.
As the workshop closed, facilitators and attendees called for sustained collaboration between state institutions, UN partners and grassroots networks to secure an inclusive, peaceful and credible vote in 2026, South Sudan’s first nationwide ballot since 2010.