The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Nicholas Haysom says the constitution-making process and election planning are behind schedule.
Haysom who is also the Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) estimated that the constitution-making process is ten months behind schedule despite the election next year
He described 2023 as a make-or-break year for South Sudan if it is to implement the peace agreement which suggests that matters cannot be deferred to 2024.
Haysom advises the government to speed up the constitution-making process, and electoral legislation.
He stated that reviving the necessary institutions and structures will create an environment conducive to supporting robust political competition which requires tangible measures.
“The government has to revive the necessary institutions and structures that will create an environment conducive to supporting robust political competition which requires tangible measures,” he stated.
Un several aspects of the transitional security arrangements are simply hanging because there is a need to create a conducive environment for political and civic space to supplement these processes.
He explains that there must be avenues for constructive dialogue between the South Sudanese citizens in order to be able to support the processes that will shape the future of this country.
According to the UNMISS Chief, the longer the Sudanese conflict continues, there will be significant security, economic and humanitarian consequences for South Sudan.
He testifies that South Sudan is already witnessing the impact of the Sudanese conflict through the skyrocketing food prices in the region, and scaling up of humanitarian needs with the influx of returnees and refugees which have already exceeded 70,000.
The UN Special Representative pointed out that the UN team and the government have managed to avoid significant blockages on South Sudanese returnees.
Nicholas said, “The attention of the region is now fixed on Sudan rather than South Sudan, and I commended the South Sudan open-door policies for returnees and refugees.”
However, Haysom encouraged President Kiir to continue making progress on the implementation of the South Sudanese roadmap.
He highlighted that this is not the time to take eyes off the board but it should be used to learn lessons from Sudan on how quickly matters can unravel if neglected.
The UNMISS Head recalls that at the beginning of the year, he outlined the priorities and challenges facing South Sudan and what ought to be done so that it does not leave room for inaction.
He outlined that several aspects of the transitional security arrangements are simply hanging and the creation of a conducive environment for political and civic space for these processes is very crucial.
Haysom suggested that there must be avenues for constructive dialogue between the South Sudanese citizens in order to be able to support the processes that will shape the future of this nation.
“Several aspects of the transitional security arrangements are simply hanging and the creation of a conducive environment for political and civic space for these processes is very crucial,” the UNMISS Boss reiterated.
Last week UNMISS facilitated a series of engagements that brought together political parties, civil society representatives, women, youth, and faith-based leaders.
The participants predominantly expressed concern about the delay in implementing the roadmap and discussed ways to support the implementation.
The political parties formed allowed the participants to discuss the responsibility and challenges for political parties in the transitional government.
“We intend to organize political forms at the state level to generate a shared responsibility to advance the peace process.
“We do welcome the establishment of the joint task force for the implementation of the constitution-making process and the Electoral project which will have a representative from the government and international representatives as a way of speeding up the processes of peace,” Haysom stated.
The UN Chief urges South Sudan leaders not to lose focus on its internal security problem despite grappling with multiple challenges including the effect of the Sudanese situation.
Human Rights bodies have recorded violations in various parts of the country and the first quarter report indicates a 12 percent increase in violent incidences compared to the same report published in the previous year.
According to Haysom, there are 22 incidents reported of extrajudicial killing but sadly, there are minimal steps taken by the relevant authorities to hold the perpetrators accountable.
Climate shocks continue to compound the existing humanitarian crisis that is already affecting the three-quarter of the population a crisis which keeps worsening every year.
He expresses concerns that the economic stresses may lead to increased criminality and attacks on humanitarian workers and theft of food and non-food aid. This food aid is crucial for the survival of communities in the rainy season which has just begun.
Nicholas Haysom, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General made the statement while addressing the media in Juba on Wednesday.