Governor Adil directs Lainya commissioner to step up 2026 election preparations

(JUBA, LAINYA)- Central Equatoria State Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony has directed the Commissioner of Lainya County to intensify preparations for the country’s anticipated December 2026 elections.

The directive came during a briefing on Monday by Lainya County Commissioner Huda Micha Laila, who updated the governor on security situation in the area.

According to the commissioner, security in Lainya remains stable, with ongoing efforts to facilitate the peaceful return of cattle herders to their areas of origin in line with a presidential order aimed at reducing farmer-herder tensions.

Governor Adil commended the Lainya county leadership for maintaining relative calm but emphasized that stability must be reinforced as the country moves toward elections.

He instructed the commissioner to scale up civic engagement and community mobilization to prepare residents for the polls, while working closely with security agencies to maintain order.

The governor also called for continued efforts to create conditions that would allow refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) to return home, noting that their participation will be key to credible elections.

South Sudan is working toward holding it’s first elections since independence, a key milestone under the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement.

The polls, scheduled for December 2026, have been postponed multiple times due to security challenges, funding gaps, and delays in implementing critical reforms.

Preparations remain ongoing, including voter registration planning, institutional reforms, and efforts to improve security conditions across the country.

However, challenges persist. Large numbers of displaced people, limited infrastructure, and concerns over political space and security continue to raise questions about readiness.