NAIROBI: The ongoing crisis in neighboring Sudan should serve as a wake-up call for South Sudan, according to the UN envoy to the country. The envoy, Nicholas Haysom, called on the government in Juba to lay the groundwork for credible elections next year, emphasizing the need for a peaceful, inclusive, and stable political environment.
Since gaining independence from Sudan in 2011, South Sudan has faced a series of challenges, including a five-year civil war that claimed nearly 400,000 lives. Although a peace deal was signed in 2018, the unity government led by President Salva Kiir and his deputy Riek Machar has struggled to deliver on the promises of the agreement, including the drafting of a constitution.
South Sudan’s President Committed to Hold Elections by Dec 2024
President Kiir has committed to holding the country’s first-ever presidential polls by December 2024. However, the UN envoy cautioned that immediate action is needed to ensure credible elections. Haysom emphasized that a conducive political and civic environment is crucial for all political parties, civil society groups, media, and citizens of South Sudan.
The United Nations has repeatedly criticized South Sudan’s leadership for contributing to violence, suppressing political freedoms, and engaging in corruption. The government was expected to conclude a transition period with elections in February 2023, but has not fulfilled essential terms of the peace deal.
Moreover, the crisis in Sudan has added to South Sudan’s challenges, with over 190,000 people seeking refuge in South Sudan after fleeing the fighting between the Sudanese army and paramilitary forces.
Despite having significant oil reserves, South Sudan remains one of the world’s poorest nations and continues to grapple with politically motivated ethnic violence. The UN envoy’s call for credible elections comes as a crucial step towards achieving peace, stability, and inclusive governance in the young nation.
