(JUBA COUNTY) – The United Nations has warned that hate speech and disinformation could undermine South Sudan’s electoral process.
It called for coordinated efforts to address harmful information ahead of elections scheduled for 22nd December 2026.
The caution was made during a workshop in Juba on 13th October.
The workshop was held to establish a national multi agency coordination platform to address harmful information and strengthen conflict prevention.
Beleteze Foretia, representing the United Nations Office of the Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, said political uncertainty and declining public trust could weaken confidence in the electoral process.
“Political uncertainty, limited access to credible information and declining public trust can create conditions in which harmful narratives flourish,” Foretia said.
This could potentially undermine confidence in political and electoral processes, he added.
He said a peaceful political process requires access to reliable information and the ability to express political differences without intimidation or incitement to violence.
The proposed platform is intended to strengthen cooperation among government institutions, media organisations, civil society groups, academic institutions and development partners.
It will also work to identify emerging information related risks and coordinate preventive action.
Foretia said efforts should focus on identifying harmful narratives before they escalate into violence.
This should be done by linking monitoring and analysis to existing early warning and early response mechanisms.
“We must move beyond reacting to harmful narratives after tensions have escalated,” he said.
He urged stakeholders to turn timely information into coordinated preventive action.
However, Foretia cautioned that efforts to counter hate speech and disinformation must not undermine fundamental freedoms.
These include freedom of expression, independent journalism and legitimate political participation.
He said respect for human rights and access to information should remain central to the initiative.
This comes amid concerns about the effects of inflammatory rhetoric and misleading information in societies affected by prolonged conflict.
Victoria Anib, the IGAD head of mission in South Sudan, said the proposed platform would strengthen cooperation among institutions without replacing their existing responsibilities.
“Its purpose is not to replace existing mandates, but to strengthen cooperation, information sharing and coordinated responses to emerging challenges,” Anib said.
She urged participants to establish clear institutional roles and strengthen links between early warning and preventive action.
She also called for national ownership and a sustainable implementation framework.
Anib said the changing information environment required regional organisations and national institutions to adapt their approaches to conflict prevention.
This comes as South Sudan prepares for elections and advances constitution making efforts.
She added that the initiative would seek to improve coordination among national, regional and continental institutions.
The workshop was expected to examine the proposed platform’s governance arrangements and identify practical measures to improve coordination.
South Sudan is scheduled to hold general elections on 22nd December 2026.
President Salva Kiir dissolved the transitional government in September.
While electoral officials have continued preparations for the planned polls, political analysts have raised concerns over the absence of a publicly issued electoral roadmap and voter registration timelines.
