SOUTH SUDAN: South Africa Donates Vehicle To South Sudan’s National Elections Commission

By Debora Akur Chol, South Sudan

The Government of South Africa has donated a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado to the South Sudan National Elections Commission (NEC), to support its efforts in preparing for the country’s upcoming elections.

The vehicle was handed over at the NEC headquarters in Juba on Thursday, as part of South Africa’s ongoing support for the electoral process in South Sudan.

South Africa’s Ambassador to South Sudan, Mahlodi Muofhe, expressed his pleasure in making the donation, highlighting its importance in helping the NEC advance its preparations for the 2026 national elections.

“It gives me so much pleasure as Ambassador to South Sudan to donate a Toyota Prado from the Government of South Africa to the National Election Commission, for the sole purpose of enabling the commission to do its work in preparing for the much-awaited national elections in 2026,” Muofhe said during the ceremony.

He emphasised that the donation was a gesture of goodwill and hoped it would enable the NEC to make further progress in its work.

Muofhe also urged South Sudanese leaders to redouble their efforts to ensure that the elections are free, fair, and democratic.

“This is such a beautiful country, and if only there can be peace and democracy in South Sudan, the people would be able to access the critical services they need to rebuild the nation,” he said.

Prof. Abednego Akok Kahcuol, Chairperson of the NEC, expressed gratitude for the donation, noting that South Africa was the first country to extend such assistance.

He called on other African nations to follow suit and support the country’s electoral processes.

“We are truly thankful for this offer. We hope our African brothers and sisters will continue to assist us as we move towards the next phase of organizing the election,” Kachuol said.

The donation comes at a crucial time, as the NEC is preparing to launch civic and voter education programs aimed at sensitizing South Sudanese citizens about the electoral process.

NEC Secretary General Bol Deng Majok emphasized that the donation will help strengthen the commission’s operational capacity and mobility across the country.

He also expressed that the donation is a testament to the strong, enduring relationship between South Sudan and South Africa.

“We are grateful for your support because this will strengthen our operational capacity and mobility across the country,” Majok said. “This generosity is a true testament to our mutual and bilateral cooperation and our enduring historical friendship,” he added.