(Juba) – The South Sudan Football Federation (SSFF) has released a detailed list of eligibility criteria for anyone seeking to run for President or Vice President of the Federation. The requirements, published by the SSFF Electoral Committee, are based on Article 38 (4) of the Federation’s statutes. These rules aim to ensure that only candidates with strong credentials, ethical integrity, and football experience can contest the leadership roles.
To begin with, all candidates must be South Sudanese citizens and residents. This must be verified through official documentation, including a valid nationality certificate and a certified residency certificate. Additionally, the Federation requires all aspirants to possess at least a bachelor’s degree. If the degree is from a foreign institution, it must be officially authenticated and recognised by the relevant national education authorities.
Legal and ethical standing are also crucial under the new guidelines. Applicants must not have any history of criminal convictions or disciplinary actions from a state court. Any such record must be cleared by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Furthermore, candidates must not have been found guilty or sanctioned by the FIFA Ethics Committee or any other international or national sporting body for offences that could bring their suitability for office into question.
Professional experience within South Sudan’s football environment is a key requirement. Candidates must have been involved in football activities in the country for at least four of the past eight years. This must be backed by a certificate or letter of endorsement from a recognised SSFF member and confirmed by the Sports Registrar. The Federation views this as a way of ensuring that those leading South Sudanese football have a proven commitment to its development on the ground.
In addition to meeting legal, academic and experience-related criteria, candidates must comply with the Federation’s internal rules. Specifically, Article 24, paragraph 8 of the SSFF Statutes must be fulfilled. Aspirants must also submit a formal declaration confirming that they have no conflict of interest. The Federation emphasises that those holding roles on independent committees or acting as representatives of members at the Congress cannot simultaneously serve on the executive.
The nomination process has also been tightened. Each candidate is required to submit four letters of support from SSFF members. Importantly, each member can only back one candidate per position. Furthermore, every candidate must be officially proposed by at least four members.
These measures, according to the Electoral Committee, are designed to promote leadership that is not only competent and experienced but also trustworthy and dedicated to advancing football across South Sudan. “The Federation is committed to promoting leadership that is transparent, experienced, and passionate about developing football across the country. We urge all prospective candidates to review these requirements carefully and ensure full compliance,” the Committee said in a statement.
The full election timeline and further procedural announcements are expected in the coming days, as South Sudan prepares for one of the most closely scrutinised leadership transitions in its footballing history.