By Hou Akot Hou
Citizens are expressing frustration following the extension of the transitional period and elections delay for two years.
Many believe this postponement is driven by those in power seeking to cling to their positions.
In Aweil, Bulis Nguak, chairperson of the Northern Bahr El Ghazal Civil Society Association, shared his concerns about the delay, emphasizing that the postponement undermines public confidence and hampers essential preparations for the elections.
“It’s unacceptable,” Nguak said, arguing that politicians should be held accountable and voted out if they fail to deliver.
“This situation is creating redundancy. The lack of funding is not a convincing excuse; it prolongs the suffering of the people, while the same faces remain in power without making meaningful changes.”
He pointed out that the extension, approved by parliament, is perplexing, especially as peace processes like the Tumanini Initiative in Nairobi face significant challenges.
In a Radio Miraya discussion, Dr. Martin Elia Lomuro, the cabinet affairs minister, along with Angelina Teny, acknowledged the citizens’ frustrations.
Lomuro explained that the extension was necessary due to uncontrollable funding issues.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to establishing genuine peace and conducting fair, credible elections, stressing that critical components of the peace agreement—like constitution-making and the census—have yet to be completed.
“The Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-RCSS) is a vital document that we intend to implement fully. Currently, only 10 percent of the roadmap is complete, with 56 percent still pending,” Lomoro stated.
He emphasized that many of the outstanding issues are not directly related to the elections and highlighted the need for urgent constitutional reform.
Angelina Teny, the interior minister and SPLM-IO member, raised concerns about security at polling stations, stating that the reunification of forces is essential to ensure voter safety during the upcoming elections.
She questioned why participants in the Tumanini Initiative are hesitant to embrace the R-RCSS, which shares similar goals but lacks full implementation.