UNMISS doubts elections unless keys stumbling block quickly address

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The Special Representative of the Secretary-General Nicholas Haysom during media briefing in Juba (Photo: Lino Ginaba

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan has stated that its view has always been that elections can’t be held in December 2024, unless the country’s leaders take urgent action to overcome key obstacles.

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General Nicholas Haysom said building the capacity of the electoral body is necessary to host elections

“UNMISS’s views have always been that elections can’t be held in December unless the country’s leaders take urgent action to overcome key obstacles.

“My previous remarks regarding the capacity of the country to host elections, related directly to the conditions that are within applicable and the failure to properly stand the institutions which are necessary and which we now see being established.”

Nicholas Hayson adds that transitional security arrangements must be finalized and the electoral security plan must be agreed upon for the necessary unified forces to provide a security environment.

“The decisions are needed on the type of elections to be held, can a census be reached on the realistic electoral calendar, taking into account operational logistical legal and security issues. Transitional security arrangements must be finalized and electoral security plans must be agreed upon and the necessary unified forces to provide a security environment.”

Haysom calls for interventions to resolve tensions in Northern Unity between South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM OI), as well as inter-communal violence in-pocket to the Country.

“Interventions are needed at the highest level to resolve tensions in Northern Unity between SSPDF and the SPLM IO, as well as the inter-communal violence In-pockets to the country, and the fresh fighting between Dinka Twic, Ngong Dinka and Nuire Communities in Warrap and Abiyei.”

The UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General describes the conflicts across the Country as inhabiting an environment of open political competition, which would be a vital part of a healthy democracy.

He adds that UNMISS is doing all it can to mitigate the effects of violence in Warrap and its partners in Abyei where two peacekeepers were killed while protecting and rescuing civilians.

“UNMISS is doing all it can to mitigate the effects of violence in Warrap and our partners are doing the same in Abiyei where two peacekeepers were recently killed while protecting and rescuing civilians.”

Haysom urges the senior public service to refrain from associating themselves with political parties to protect the neutrality of the important institutions.

“It’s also important that senior public servants refrain from associating themselves with political parties to protect the neutrality of the importance of their institutions.”

He narrates that UNMISS is supporting the electoral institutions by helping to create work plans and budgets, developing a political party code of conduct, and preparing for the reconstitution elections committees.

According to UNMISS, 90 percent of the country, showing that there is a strong indication that South Sudanese want elections.

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General Nicholas and the Head of UNMISS made his remarks to journalists at the UNMISS Compound in Juba.

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