{
  "id": 10767779,
  "title": "POLL POSITION: Ramaphosa urges caution as AU supports South Sudan elections",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/poll-position-ramaphosa-urges-caution-as-au-supports-south-sudan",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-29T20:02:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Maverick",
    "slug": "daily-maverick",
    "url": "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-09-29-ramaphosa-urges-caution-as-au-supports-south-sudan-elections/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "South Sudan's first democratic elections are scheduled for December 26, 2021, despite concerns about potential electoral impropriety and the risk of further violence. President Cyril Ramaphosa of the African Union (AU) cautioned that numerous political, security, and institutional issues could undermine the credibility of the polls.\n\nThe AU’s C5 committee, chaired by Ramaphosa, met virtually on Tuesday, September 29, to assess South Sudan's preparedness for elections. The committee included members from Algeria, Chad, Nigeria, and Rwanda, with Ramaphosa as the only president present. South Sudan's President Salva Kiir also attended.\n\nDeputy chairperson of the AU Commission, Selma Malika Haddadi, emphasized the government's commitment to holding elections on the 26th, stating that it was crucial to maintain momentum. Ramaphosa, however, acknowledged the many challenges ahead and urged the South Sudanese government to expedite the resolution of these issues.\n\nTo address these concerns, the committee recommended compliance with the 2018 Revitalised Peace Agreement, cessation of hostilities, immediate release of political prisoners, and the establishment of a feasible, consensual electoral roadmap. They also called for adequate domestic financial resources, protection of civilians and humanitarian personnel, and coordination between the AU, C5, and the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) for technical assistance.\n\nThe primary obstacle to free and fair elections is President Kiir's detention of his rival, First Vice-President Riek Machar, a situation that appears unlikely to change. This raises fears that Machar's supporters might disrupt the elections. Ramaphosa reiterated that the responsibility lies with South Sudan's government and parties, but stressed that the AU and C5 countries would provide support.\n\nResearchers from the Institute for Security Studies in Nairobi warned that credible elections seem unattainable in South Sudan, advocating instead for preserving the peace deal that ended the conflict in 2018. They suggested postponing the elections until the necessary conditions for a peaceful and transparent process are in place. Despite this, the AU decided to proceed, hoping to facilitate those conditions within the next three months.",
  "summary": "The African Union backs South Sudan’s 26 December elections, while Cyril Ramaphosa warns that major political, security and institutional obstacles threaten credible polls.",
  "key_points": [
    "South Sudan's first democratic elections scheduled for December 26, 2021",
    "AU's C5 committee chaired by Ramaphosa assessed South Sudan's election readiness",
    "Committee recommended compliance with 2018 peace agreement and electoral roadmap"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}