Makuei says he won’t seek elected office in December vote

South Sudan’s caretaker Minister for East African Community Affairs, Michael Makuei Lueth, has said he will not contest the country’s forthcoming elections, as he urged voters in Bor to prepare for the polls scheduled for December.

Makuei made the remarks on Saturday during the final funeral prayers for the late Bishop Emeritus Nathaniel Garang in Bor town.

Makuei, who hails from Bor County, was a member of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly before President Salva Kiir dissolved the transitional government and legislature on 22 September.

President Kiir formed a caretaker administration three months before the elections, which are scheduled for 22 December 2026.

Speaking to mourners and members of the community, Makuei said the removal of officials from the transitional unity government was linked to preparations for the elections.

“The officials were removed from office because we are going to hold an election, the same way you voted in 2010, which was the only election the country had seen.”

South Sudan last held national elections in 2010, before gaining independence from Sudan in 2011.

“It’s been 16 years since any election, and that’s why the government has opted to hold one,” Makuei said.

He said the electoral process would begin with the presidential election, followed by elections for governors, national and state legislators, and representatives of the administrative areas.

“Those are the ones you will be electing.”

Makuei, who is the chairperson of the Bor community, said county commissioners, councillors and other county government officials would also be elected.

“Those who remain will run for county commissioners and councillors, and county government officials; those will also be elected, as the electoral commission decides.”

He urged residents of Bor to prepare for the election and said eligible voters would have to register before casting their ballots.

“What I want to tell you, as the community of Mading [Bor], is to get prepared for the coming election, and I want to assure you that the election is going to be held, and when the time comes, you will go for voter registration so that you can be able to elect whoever you want to elect for the position.”

Makuei rules himself out

Makuei then sought to make clear that his remarks should not be interpreted as an early campaign for political office, saying he would not be a candidate in the forthcoming election.

“I don’t want you to take it as though I have started an early campaign for the election, or that Makuei is trying to lobby for a position. Makuei is not standing as a candidate in the coming election, and this is what I am telling you now.”

Makuei, a close ally of President Kiir, said other members of the caretaker government would also not contest the elections.

“We, the 13 ministers and the three deputy ministers who were appointed, none of us is going to stand in the coming election.”

He said officials serving in the caretaker administration were not allowed to campaign and instead had a responsibility to oversee the country until the elections.

“Under caretaker government law, we aren’t allowed to campaign; specifically, those in the government have a clear role: to lead the people to the election, and then the people decide whom they want to elect.”

Makuei, however, said he would accept another leadership position if the president decided to assign him one.

“However, if my chairman decides to assign me to another role, I will accept it and do so.”

Advice to aspiring candidates

Makuei also urged people planning to contest the elections to prepare early, saying they would have to contest either through political parties or as independent candidates.

“For those who are planning to run for election, what I want to tell you is to get prepared, but remember that you will have to come through your political party, be it SPLM, SPLM-IO, or South Sudan Opposition Alliance.”

He also referred to members of the former detainees group, known as the FDs, urging them to prepare through their political group.

“Even if you are FDs, get prepared and come through your party, and if you decide not to run as one of those I have mentioned, then you stand as an independent candidate; it is also your choice to do so.”

Makuei said voter registration would begin soon and urged eligible voters to prepare for the process.

“I am alerting you to prepare for the upcoming election in December 2026; voter registration will begin next month.”

The National Elections Commission has been preparing the voter registration process ahead of the December polls. The commission recently unveiled the voter registration book and said the exercise would cover South Sudan’s 10 states and three administrative areas.

Young voters

Makuei, who is one of the country’s longest-serving national ministers, having served in government since 2005, highlighted the large number of young people who will be eligible to vote in the forthcoming election.

“Most voters this time round are young people. When we voted in our first election in 2010, they were still kids and not eligible to vote. Now they must vote in the coming election, so get ready.”

The December election will be South Sudan’s first national election since independence in 2011.

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