South Sudan political parties to the revitalized agreement have announced a new transitional period is starting as stated in the roadmap.
The roadmap extended the transitional period for two years starting on 22 February 2022, the day the unity government was formed. That government was to be in power for three years and elections were conducted in 2023.
Martin Elia Lomoro Minister of Cabinet Affairs, says the extended transitional period to peace will end in February 2025 with elections held by December 2024.
“The Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoUN) of the Republic of South Sudan from the thirty-six months (36) Transitional period provided for under Article 2.3.1/1.1.2 of the RARCSS which ends on the 22 of February 2023, to the twenty-four (24) months extended Transitional period provided for the article 4.4 of the roadmap ending 22, February 2025 with elections to be held in December 2024.
“The roadmap is to provide time-bound guidance on the implementation of the outstanding provisions that are critical to the contact of peaceful and democratic elections at the end of Transition,” Lomoro says.
Elia says the decision will be endorsed on 23rd February 2023, by a high-level committee.
“Finally, re-allayment and power sharing of Commissions with political implication will be endorsed on Thursday 23, February 2023, by the High-level Committee and presented to the Council of Ministers for consideration on Friday 24, February 2024.”
Six bills associated with the R-ARCSS/Roadmap have been given assent by the President.
The bills include The National Police Service Act 2009 (Amendment, 2021) Bill, 2022. The National Prison Service (Amendment, 2021) Bill, 2022, Wildlife Service (Amendment) Bill, 2022, the Constitutional Making process Bill, 2022, and the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan, 2011 (Amendment), Bill, 2022, Amendment 11 which incorporated the roadmap on August 4, 2022.
The Minister of Cabinet Affairs also says, eight bills have been submitted for ratification, while another eight bills are under various stages of the Cabinet process.
However, the Minister of Information and govt Spokesperson, Michael Makuei Lueth dismissed rumors circulating in social media about the plan to dissolve current cabinets and form a new government this month.
“There had been a lot of wild rumors that the parliament will be dissolved and it will be reduced to 250, and Vice President will be reduced to 2, and James Wani Igga will be going to the parliament and so forth. The government is not touching any part or provisions of the agreement, but extending the period in order to enable the parties to implement the deal.
Makuei assures the public that parties are committed to peace implementation and the country will conduct a free and fair election in 24 months.
“Let me assure you, that this time we are implementing and we are going for elections in time, there is no question of a revitalized roadmap” Makuei adds.
The High-level Standing Committee was established to urgently plan and structure the process of disseminating the roadmap.
Committee requested the United Nations Mission in South Sudan and UN Development Program to help with the operationalization of pre-election activities.