South Sudan's President Salva Kiir has assured African Union and regional leaders that his government is working to prepare for free and fair elections scheduled for December. During a virtual meeting with the African Union's High-Level Ad Hoc Committee on South Sudan, known as the C5, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Kiir outlined the progress made so far. He stated that the necessary legal steps for the elections had been completed, with all relevant amendments passed.
According to Kiir, the transitional unity government and parliament have been dissolved, while preparations for voter registration and election security are ongoing. The assembly has also been dissolved, and administrative, logistical, and financial steps are being taken. Kiir reported that 2,508 voter registration centres have been assessed as part of the preparations for the elections. Additionally, voter registration books have been approved, printed, and are being distributed to the states.
Kiir also mentioned that the inter-party dialogue on election-related matters had begun the previous week and is progressing well. He expressed confidence that the government is doing its best to conduct a fair and free election, which will give South Sudanese the opportunity to choose their own leaders. The elections, scheduled for December 22, will be South Sudan's first national vote since independence in 2011.
However, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who chairs the African Union's C5, expressed concerns over the progress made towards the elections. He emphasized that South Sudan's 2018 peace agreement remains the country's "paramount legal instrument" and urged all parties to comply with it. Ramaphosa noted that while progress has been made, many challenges and tremendous work remain to be done.
The African Union's C5 and IGAD leaders are closely monitoring the situation in South Sudan, given the country's history of conflict and instability. The 2018 peace agreement was signed to bring an end to the country's civil war, which lasted from 2013 to 2018 and resulted in thousands of deaths and displacements. The agreement established a transitional government, which has been in power since 2018.
Despite the challenges, Kiir's government has made efforts to prepare for the elections, including the assessment of voter registration centres and the distribution of voter registration books. The government has also begun the inter-party dialogue on election-related matters, which is seen as a crucial step towards ensuring the credibility of the elections.
The international community is closely watching the developments in South Sudan, as the country prepares for its first national elections since independence. The outcome of the elections will be crucial in determining the country's future and its ability to consolidate peace and stability. Key to this process is the commitment to free and fair elections, as pledged by President Kiir.
Key points
- South Sudan's President Salva Kiir has pledged to hold free and fair elections in December.
- The African Union's C5 has raised concerns over the progress made towards the elections.
- The elections are scheduled for December 22 and will be South Sudan's first national vote since independence in 2011.
