SOUTH SUDAN: National Conference Urges End To Hate Speech Ahead Of 2026 Elections

By Debora Akur Chol, South Sudan

A three-day National Conference on Combating Hate Speech, currently underway in Juba, has urged South Sudanese citizens to reject hate speech, misinformation, and divisive narratives that threaten peace and social cohesion ahead of the 2026 general elections.

Speakers at the conference emphasised the importance of responsible communication and informed civic engagement, particularly on social media platforms.

Sapana Abuyi, Director General for Information and Media Compliance at the Media Authority, called on citizens to change how they communicate, warning that careless speech often fuels conflict rather than peace.

“We have to put behind us our differences, hateful feelings, and the way we express our views, which often creates more harm than peace,” Abuyi said on Tuesday.

“As we approach the 2026 elections, this is the time to strengthen civic education so people can participate peacefully.”

Minister of Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services, Ateny Wek Ateny, stressed that freedom of expression must be exercised responsibly.

“Freedom of expression is a constitutional right that must be protected; however, it must be exercised in a manner that promotes coexistence and mutual respect,” Ateny said.

“Hate speech threatens social harmony and undermines peacebuilding efforts.”

Elijah Alier Kuai, Managing Director of the Media Authority, warned that the spread of harmful messages by individuals can have far-reaching national consequences.

“Undermining peace through misleading or abusive information is not merely an offence; it threatens South Sudan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Alier stated.

Lothar Jaschke, Deputy Head of the European Union Delegation in Juba, cautioned against the dangers of rumours and manipulation in the digital age.

“It is so easy to defame and manipulate, and so hard to verify information,” Jaschke said.

“Fake news and false accusations only lead to hatred and division.”

Mary Ajith, Project Manager at Journalists for Human Rights (JHR), highlighted the role of informed citizens in countering misinformation and disinformation.

“The essence of this project is to cultivate an environment where accurate information thrives, reducing misinformation that fuels conflict,” she explained.

The conference brought together state ministers of information, representatives from the three administrative areas, civil society organisations, and media managers to promote responsible communication and peaceful coexistence.

Ajith added that the initiative directly targeted communities nationwide.

“We trained about 1,000 community members and civil society actors in media literacy and engaged 700 government and security officials to encourage coordinated action,” she said.

The conference was organised by the Media Authority in collaboration with Journalists for Human Rights (JHR), aiming to encourage critical thinking, responsible communication, and collective efforts toward peace and unity in South Sudan.