By Philip Buda Ladu
The U.S. Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, is urging the transitional unity government (RTGoNU) to come out boldly and declare the elections’ conduct.
Despite the National Election Commission (NEC) announcing December 22, 2024, as the date for the polls meant to conclude the September 2018 revitalized peace agreement and end the series of transitions, the political climate remains uncertain for the upcoming elections.
In her briefing on South Sudan at the UN Security Council meeting in New York on August 14, 2024, Ambassador Linda emphasized that it is long past time that the people of South Sudan experience the peace, security, and freedom they have long demanded, fought for, and so deserve.
“So, it is critical that South Sudan’s leaders and parties engage in urgent dialogue and bring this transitional period, which started in 2011, finally to an end through peaceful and legitimate elections,” she remarked.
Early last month, information minister and rapporteur to Nairobi peace talks, Michael Makuei, said the Presidency will use the Tumaini Consensus Agreement once signed and the peace roadmap evaluation report to determine the conduct of the elections.
Ambassador Linda noted that they have seen steps in the right direction towards ending the transitional period.
“That includes the Kenyan-led Tumaini Initiative, which has mediated talks between the transitional government and non-signatories to the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan,” she pointed out.
The US envoy also recognized and commended UNMISS, the AU, and IGAD on their ongoing efforts to help South Sudan ensure transparency, fairness, and inclusivity in its electoral process.
She called on other regional and international partners to provide more robust support for that effort.
“Colleagues, with both potential elections and a rainy season on the horizon, South Sudan is at a critical crossroads” the U.S. envoy echoed.
“The transitional government has the opportunity to choose the path of peace and prosperity over fear and desperation,” Amb. Linda expressed, adding that “we urge it to make the right choice.”
The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) interim chairperson Rt. Lt. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai also briefed the UN Security Council where he highlighted the status of the implementation of the revitalized agreement.
Gituai noted that despite the extension of the Transitional Period by 24 months, key tasks such as the completion of the unification of forces, the making of the permanent constitution, and various election-related preparatory tasks are still outstanding.
Meanwhile, in preparation for elections, the Political Parties Council has adopted a Code of Conduct and registered 29 political parties, but concerns exist regarding the procedures followed and the registration fees.
The National Elections Commission has also reconstituted the state-level high committees, but there are concerns about the criteria used and gender representation.
The peace monitor emphasized that, with regards to the prospects of elections, an inter-party committee reviewed the roadmap implementation and submitted its report to the principals, who met on August 13, 2024.
“In response, the parties to the agreement by consensus have tasked the relevant (election) institutions and the inter-party committee to develop a realistic timetable for elections.” Gituai continued “it is expected that the timetable will be accompanied by a budget and guaranteed funding.”
Early this week, President Salva Kiir held talks with political leaders to discuss the feasibility of holding, elections due to take place in December.
The leaders then tasked the election institutions to determine the fate of the elections.