JUBA: The United Nations envoy to South Sudan Nicholas Haysom said on Thursday that all political parties in South Sudan must be able to campaign freely as the country moves towards for its first elections next year.
The elections, scheduled for December next year, are part of a peace deal reached in 2018 that ended a devastating civil war in the world’s youngest country.
Despite the looming election deadline, the fragile unity government, formed as part of the peace agreement, has faced challenges in meeting key provisions. Concerns persist in the international community about the feasibility of holding credible elections.
The UN envoy stressed the need for South Sudanese parties, leaders, and stakeholders to agree on critical measures by the first quarter of 2024 for the elections to be free, fair, and credible. He urged that political parties should have the freedom to register and campaign without intimidation, emphasizing the active participation of civil society for credible monitoring and observation.
President Salva Kiir recently restructured state bodies overseeing the elections, but an alliance of opposition parties, while demanding the right to participate, expressed the need for additional time for preparation.
The UN envoy highlighted the importance of establishing effective institutions for managing elections to avoid violence.
South Sudan, one of the world’s poorest nations despite its significant oil reserves, has faced prolonged conflicts, natural disasters, economic challenges, and communal conflicts.
Haysom voiced concern over increased violence, particularly involving community-based militias, across the country.
