By Bosco Bush
Partners are pressing parties to the Revitalized Agreement on Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCISS) to dialogue and reach a consensus on the fate of the anticipated December 2024 general elections.
South Sudan is slated to go for general elections at the end of the transitional period as stipulated in the R-ARCISS and the Road Map initiative.
However, as the timeframe is narrowing, there are limited efforts that signifies electoral preparedness. Voters’ registration and voter education, is yet to be conducted.
Other prerequisites per the peace deal such as the deployment of the National Unified Forces, conduction of population census, the permanent constitution making, repatriation and reparation of the refugees and the internally displaced persons (IDPs), are yet to be done.
As a result, parties to the agreement have had conflicting views on whether elections should be conducted by December 2024 or full implementation of the provisions of the peace accord.
The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – in Government (SPLM-IG), South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) have made their position for the country to go for elections by December 2024.
The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – in Opposition (SPLM-IO) has called for the implementation of the provisions of the R-ARCISS.
Last week, the Chairperson of the National Election Commission (NEC) declared 22nd December 2024 as the date for elections.
In a joint press statement seen by this outlet, on Thursday, July 11, 2024, the African Union Mission in South Sudan (AUMISS), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the United Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), called on the peace parties to have a unified and informed position about the elections.
“At this moment of national unity, the partners urge the Parties to the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) to reach consensus on the way forward and provide clarity on the electoral roadmap,” the statement read.
AUMISS, IGAD, and UNMISS have observed the increasing number of statements and decisions made by the Parties to the Revitalized Peace Agreement, as well as other political stakeholders and national electoral institutions, regarding measures related to the transition.
While the holding of elections is the sovereign prerogative of South Sudan, AUMISS, IGAD, and UNMISS stress the importance of electoral decisions being taken by consensus and in accordance with agreed processes, procedures, and timelines.
The partners appeal to the parties to work collectively for the sake of sustained peace and stability.
“In this regard, the partners reiterate their full support for all efforts to ultimately deliver peaceful, free, fair, and credible elections that reflect the will of the electorate,” it stated.