South Sudanese presidential aspirant Kornelio Kon Ngu has called for the postponement of an inter-party dialogue scheduled for this week, arguing that recent constitutional amendments have changed the political framework ahead of elections. The dialogue, initially scheduled for 17 September, has been postponed to 24 September. It is due to begin at 10am at the main hall of the Revitalised Transitional National Legislative Assembly in Juba. Kon, who leads the opposition National United Democratic Front (NUDF) and is the third deputy speaker of parliament, made the remarks at a press conference in Juba on Saturday.
Kon said his faction of the National Alliance of Political Parties supports holding elections, but argued that the inter-party dialogue should instead take place after the vote under an elected government. He said the dialogue was initially intended to discuss political issues that could be incorporated into constitutional amendments. However, parliament has already passed Constitutional Amendment No. 13, which President Salva Kiir has signed into law. The amendment removes requirements for the completion of the permanent constitution-making process and a national population and housing census before elections can be held.
Kon questioned the composition of the planned inter-party dialogue, saying it should include all political parties rather than selected groups. He also criticised the process through which the constitutional amendments were adopted, saying political decisions should involve broader consultation among political parties. According to Kon, the inter-party dialogue has no meaning in the current context, as the constitutional amendments have already been passed.
Kon also raised concerns about the National Elections Commission's (NEC) ability to organise a credible election within the remaining time. The NEC said on 2 September that no voters had been registered and that an electoral register had not yet been established. It said it was still preparing for registration, including training electoral officials and assessing registration centres. The commission has maintained that the election will take place on 22 December.
The preparations have coincided with a change in the NEC leadership. President Kiir removed NEC chairperson Abednego Akok Kacuol on 15 September and appointed Gabriel Bol Deng Majok, the commission’s former secretary-general, as his successor. No public reason was given for Akok’s removal. South Sudan has repeatedly postponed national elections since gaining independence in 2011.
Kon's call to postpone the inter-party dialogue comes amid a dispute over his leadership of the National Alliance of Political Parties and his bid for the presidency. He announced in August that he would challenge President Kiir in the December election. His candidacy initially received backing from some parties within the alliance. However, eight parties later withdrew their support for Kon as alliance chairman, accusing him of violating the alliance’s rules.
Despite the dispute, Kon said his political programme remains focused on elections. “Our goal is to have elections in 2026. Our programme is fixed. We want people to vote for us,” he said. Kon also suggested that any dialogue should be more inclusive and involve political parties outside South Sudan, rather than only groups taking part in the current process in Juba.
Key points
- Kon calls for the postponement of the inter-party dialogue, citing recent constitutional amendments.
- Kon questions the NEC's ability to organise a credible election within the remaining time.
- Kon's call to postpone the inter-party dialogue comes amid a dispute over his leadership of the National Alliance of Political Parties and his bid for the presidency.
