The UN special Representative to South Sudan has said that South Sudan can go ahead for the General Election as scheduled for December 2024, if adequate political will and the required resources are applied to achieving the benchmark in the roadmap.
The UN Special Representative Nicholas Haysom while addrssing the press conference on Wednesday in Juba says, the mission has presentated immedate priorty decisions related to elections to be considered by the parties to the peace agreement.
He says, the key decisions are expected to be put forward to the Political Parties and the Council of Minsiters for the consideration.
He adds that the situation in Sudan serves as a wake-up call for South Sudan to move swiftly in strengthening the foundations for peace, stability, and inclusive governance.
UN repersentative regrets Sudan’s conflict, citing that crisis next door continues to impact South Sudan, highlighting desprate humanitarian conditions at the Renk reception center.
He says, reduced cross-border trade has led to localized scarcity of food commodities in South Sudan.
In March, the head of the UN mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Nicholas Haysom, warned that the nation faced a “make or break” year in 2023 and its leaders must implement the peace deal to hold “inclusive and credible” elections next year.
In July 5, 2023 South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir said the general elections will happen in 2024 with him as a candidate for the ruling party (SPLM).
“I am deeply touched by your endorsement and your continued support to our historic party,” Kiir told tens of thousands of supporters at the Wau Stadium.
“As party [SPLM] members, let us work on the basis that there will be no extension of the transitional period and we have to go for the elections,” he added.
Addressing jubilant supporters in Wau, Kiir said his government is doing everything possible to ensure that what is crucial to conducting the elections is put in place.
In August last year, South Sudan’s leaders signed a two-year extension of the transitional government, in a move foreign partners warned as lacking legitimacy.
This was the second time the parties extended the country’s transitional period.
The election would be the first national vote since South Sudan’s independence.