South Sudan running out of time to hold credible election
International representatives at a three-day UN forum in South Sudan have warned that time is now running out to organise legitimate elections in the country.
According to AfricaNews on January 26th,the Government of National Unity, which was originally formed in a 2020 transitional government, last delayed the holding of elections for the third time in 2024.
The forum was co-hosted by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the African Union, gathering together South Sudan’s political, security, and civil society leaders.
“There are many who argue that the failure up to now can be attributed to the failure of the international community to provide funds and resources for the elections,” said Special Representative of the Secretary-General for South Sudan and head of UNMISS, Nicholas Haysom.
“I have to make it absolutely clear there is not one penny that is coming for these elections if the South Sudanese don’t indicate the political will to implement this electoral programme,” he added.
Haysom warned that if the forum does not bring the country forward, it may deeply disappoint the South Sudanese people, causing a loss of confidence in their political future: “So, people will look very closely at the steps which the South Sudanese are taking to demonstrate the political will and the desire to exit the transition that is so behind schedule.”
The head of the African Union Mission in South Sudan, Joram Biswaro said that the time for “business as usual” had finished. “While we are aware of these essential requirements the willingness to practice these values seem to be absent, but it is important to note that we cannot continue doing the same things and expect different results. Hence a change must take place,” he continued.
The forum also involved the making of transitional security arrangements, introducing a permanent constitution, and preparing the country for election.
The Chair of the National Transitional Committee, Kuol Manyang Juuk, pledged that despite the challenges present, elections will take place in South Sudan at the end of the current transitional period.
The Sudanese Government have recently faced threats from the paramilitary RSF, after they said they would create a parallel government in Sudan.
AfricaNews, Maghrebi, African Union
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