By Mamer Abraham
South Sudanese citizens in the diaspora have urged President Salva Kiir Mayardit to ensure elections are conducted without fail.
The president was briefing South Sudanese community representatives from various US states in New York, on the situation in the country.
However, the diaspora community also raised their concerns to the president.
Nanhom Aleu Jok, one of the community leaders said South Sudanese in the diaspora demanded elections to aid in the installation of a democratically elected government that would build a strong system.
Aleu also disclosed that the diaspora community has started preparing for the 2024 polls.
“They called for the timely conduct of elections next year in order to establish democracy and set up a strong system of governance,” the office of the President said.
The president, however, urged the diaspora communities to channel resources towards development in South Sudan and be the ambassadors of South Sudan to the world.
“While encouraging the Diasporas to be patriotic and good ambassadors of South Sudan to the world, the President urged them to be united, as the country’s strength lies in its diversity. He also urged the diaspora community to invest in South Sudan,” the statement continued.
President Salva Kiir Mayardit left Juba for New York on Sunday to attend the 78th UN General Assembly Meeting.
The president briefed the UNGA on the progress made in the implementation of the revitalized agreement on the resolution of the conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) and his plans to end the war in Sudan.
According to the roadmap for the extension of the transitional period by 24 months, elections will be conducted on December 22, 2024, before the transitional period ends on February 22, 2025.
Although the SPLM is preparing for elections to be conducted by all means, the opposition parties to the agreement push for the completion of the pending tasks to be implemented first.
They say that without the pending tasks completed, elections would not take place because the current government is based on a peace agreement in which all the parties signatory to it have a say.