President Kiir urges unity, voter participation ahead of elections
On the 15th Independence anniversary, the President called the December polls a key milestone of the Revitalised Peace Agreement.
President Salva Kiir Mayardit marked the 15th anniversary of independence by asking South Sudanese to hold together and to take part in the first general elections since the country became a nation.
In his address he honoured those who died in the liberation struggle and thanked the South Sudan People's Defence Forces and the other organised forces for protecting the country.
He said the conflict that began in 2013 has kept the nation from fulfilling the aims of independence. Those aims, he said, can be reached only through peace, reconciliation and national unity. "While our war of national liberation carried clear objectives, the conflict since 2013 has prevented us from fully delivering on those promises. The spirit of solidarity, reconciliation, and unity will make our country stronger than ever."
He called the elections of 22 December 2026 a milestone of the Revitalised Peace Agreement and the end of the transitional period that has run since 2018. He asked political parties, civil society and every citizen to support voter registration, so that people can use their democratic rights in December.
He closed the anniversary by asking the country to celebrate in peace.
