The Republic of South Sudan gained independence on 9 July 2011. It has since suffered two civil wars, from December 2013 to November 2018. At present, the transitional period of the RARCSS, as amended by the Roadmap of 4 August 2022, is being implemented by the parties to the agreement until 22 February 2025. The agreement covers the making of a new constitution (chapters I and VI), the establishment of a functioning security sector (chapter II), the humanitarian and economic stabilization (chapters III and IV), the establishment of transitional justice mechanisms (chapter V) and last but not least, the holding of elections (chapter I). The aim of the agreement is to end the cycle of violence in which South Sudan has been engulfed and to build a strong enough foundation for the continued building of a national identity, functioning state and government structures and organs, allowing the country to end the ongoing humanitarian crisis, to lead its population out of poverty, to develop its economy and to prevent a relapse into violence and war at the national level.

South Sudan has never held elections since independence. In light of the dire security and humanitarian situation in the country, all above-mentioned processes, in particular the constitution making process, as well as the electoral process, need thorough preparation and support, so as for both processes to be as inclusive, fair and free as possible for them to be credible.

Outcome 1: Prepare for the support and for the holding of elections according to the provisions of the R-ARCSS as amended by the Roadmap.

Outcome 2: Allow South Sudanese society to transition from war to peace and to end the R-ARCSS through the holding of free, fair and inclusive elections, thereby facilitating the establishment of legitimate legislative and executive organs of the State.

Outcome 3: End the cycle of violence in which South Sudan has been engulfed since 2013.

Expected results:  

Output 1: Establishment of an enabling legal framework for free, fair and inclusive elections supported

Output 2: Strengthened institutional capacities for professional, transparent and accountable election management

Output 3: Inclusive participation fostered through enhanced rights and access to information

Output 4: Enhanced environment for maintaining security and mitigating violence during elections

Output 5: Strengthened effectiveness in planning and implementing electoral processes for all citizens

Results from previous phases:  

• This will be the first phase of electoral support supported by Switzerland.
• Some lessons may be drawn from the 2010 elections, as well as from the preparations and the holding of the referendum, which in 2011 brought independence to South Sudan.
• Because of the outbreak of the civil war in December 2013, elections were never held in the Republic of South Sudan since independence. Whilst initial preparations towards the holding of elections were undertaken in 2012 / 2013, not much can be learned from that experience.
• Key lessons from abroad are that, for instance, the legal basis needs to be present, which is why the electoral law needs to be passed by parliament, the national electoral commission has to be reinstituted, and the security environment in view of the holding of elections in December 2024 needs to improve and be stabilized.