Archbishop Elias Taban Named Chief Mediator for South Sudan Inter-Party Dialogue

Fred Morgan September 27, 2026 2 min read

Archbishop Elias Taban and his deputy from the Muslim inter-faith religious group

Listen to this article

(JUBA) – Archbishop Elias Taban Parangi of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in South Sudan has been elected as the Chief Mediator of the South Sudan Inter-Party Political Dialogue, a process aimed at fostering peaceful engagement among political parties ahead of the country’s elections.

The announcement was made on Friday after faith-based groups in Juba nominated Archbishop Taban to lead the mediation effort.

Speaking during the announcement, the Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Rapporteur of the dialogue committee, Dr. Martin Elia Lomurö, said the faith-based groups had endorsed Archbishop Taban for the role, citing the important contribution religious leaders have made in promoting peace, reconciliation and national unity.

“Faith-based groups play a significant role in peacebuilding and reconciliation efforts in South Sudan, making them well-positioned to guide this dialogue process,” Lomurö said.

Upon accepting the appointment, Archbishop Taban expressed his commitment to leading the dialogue with integrity, transparency and fairness, alongside a team of mediators drawn from faith communities.

“As we embark on this crucial journey towards peaceful, free and fair elections in South Sudan, I want to express my commitment, alongside my dedicated team of mediators, to work with integrity and honesty,” Archbishop Taban said. “Our mission is to foster an environment where all political parties can engage in dialogue without fear of betrayal or mistrust.”

The newly appointed mediator called on political parties to embrace dialogue in a spirit of unity and mutual respect, stressing the need for inclusive discussions that allow every voice to be heard.

He further emphasized that the mediation team would uphold the highest standards of honesty, justice, and transparency throughout the process, while encouraging political leaders to set aside personal interests for the sake of national peace and democratic progress.

Archbishop Taban urged all political parties to participate in the dialogue with open minds and a shared commitment to building a peaceful future for the country.

The Inter-Party Political Dialogue is expected to provide a platform for political stakeholders to address key electoral and governance issues as South Sudan prepares for its anticipated elections.