Rights defenders flag restrictions ahead of elections

South Sudan’s civic and political space remains restricted ahead of elections planned for December, a human rights group said on Tuesday, citing arrests and detention of activists and journalists and restrictions on media and political activities.

The South Sudan Human Rights Defenders Network said it had documented at least 18 cases of arbitrary arrest and detention between September 2024 and September 2026.

John Ador, the network’s programme development officer, said most of those affected were human rights defenders and journalists. He said the number could be higher because monitors were unable to access some people who had been arrested or detained.

“Since September 2024 to September 2026, we had records of arbitrary arrests and detentions,” Ador said at an event in Juba to mark the International Day of Democracy.

Some detainees were released without charge but were warned against speaking publicly about their experiences, he said.

The network also recorded at least 10 cases involving restrictions on journalists, media organisations and civil society groups during the same period, Ador said.

He said journalists had had phones and cameras confiscated, been ordered to delete material and been denied access to some press briefings.

Ador also cited cases in which journalists were prevented from covering parliamentary proceedings, including a recent session dealing with constitutional amendments.

In conflict-affected areas, civil society organisations had also received orders restricting what they could report or discuss, he said.

The restrictions had contributed to a climate of fear among journalists and civil society groups and made it more difficult to scrutinise government actions, Ador said.

“Citizens are asked to participate in the elections which is political but they are not allowed to speak about politics or politicians,” he said.

James Bidal Roba, the network’s national coordinator, said holding elections would not by itself guarantee democratic participation if citizens cannot exercise their rights without intimidation or harassment.

“For true democracy to flourish, we need an open civic and political space where we are able to scrutinise and also hold our institutions accountable,” Roba said.

He called on the government to allow citizens to assemble peacefully, form associations and express their views.

Roba also criticised restrictions on journalists covering parliament, saying the public have a right to know what elected representatives were doing.

“Our eyes with the media were barred from going to the parliament to cover the proceedings when they were amending the peace agreements,” he said.

The rights group said political activities by some parties had also been disrupted or restricted.

South Sudan is due to hold general elections on Dec. 22, 2026, under a timetable agreed as part of the country’s transitional political process.

The Human Rights Defenders Network said it would publish its full findings on civic and political space in South Sudan in October.

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