African diplomats and partners convened in Juba for a High-Level Pan African Engagement aimed at aligning support for South Sudan's landmark December 2026 elections — with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the African Union reaffirming their coordinated commitment to peace and electoral preparedness.

In her remarks, IGAD Head of Mission to South Sudan Victoria Anib underscored the critical importance of sustained African partnership in shepherding South Sudan through one of the most consequential milestones in its young history.

IGAD and the African Union jointly reaffirmed their coordinated backing for the implementation of peace agreements and the broader process of electoral preparedness, signaling a united continental front ahead of the vote.

The meeting reflected a growing recognition among African leaders that credible elections in South Sudan require not only logistical and institutional support, but also consistent diplomatic engagement and alignment among regional actors.

The December 2026 elections — long anticipated and repeatedly delayed — represent a defining test for South Sudan's fragile but hard-won peace process.

IGAD, as the primary regional body overseeing the peace framework in South Sudan, has played a central role in mediating successive agreements between the country's rival political factions.

Its continued presence and coordination with the African Union signal that the region's commitment to South Sudan's stability remains firm as the electoral calendar approaches.

South Sudan is preparing for its first-ever general elections scheduled for December 22, 2026, after the initial 2024 deadline was postponed by two years.

The current condition is characterized by a "no extension" ultimatum from the government, despite a lack of funding, ongoing security concerns, and unresolved humanitarian crises.