Bishop Kussala: Contest Elections but Guard the Family
South Sudan's first general elections since 2011 independence fall on Dec. 22; the Tombura-Yambio prelate warns rivalry must not deepen divisions.
Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala of Tombura-Yambio issued a pastoral appeal this week as South Sudan prepares for general elections on December 22, 2026 — the country’s first since independence in 2011.
Addressing those who intend to run for office, the bishop wrote: “Contest the election, but protect the family. Serve the people, but do not destroy one another.”
The message emphasizes political responsibility and the duty to safeguard the family as an institution. Bishop Hiiboro Kussala urged candidates to pursue ethical competition and warned against rivalry that would deepen societal divisions at a decisive moment for the young nation.
By taking this historic step at the ballot box, South Sudan faces a test of civic maturity; the bishop’s appeal places the defense of the family and service of the people above partisan triumph.