President Salva Kiir of South Sudan has warned lawmakers against clinging to power and delaying elections. In a speech to parliament, Kiir emphasized the importance of allowing citizens to choose their leaders through the electoral process. The scheduled elections in South Sudan were previously delayed from February 2023 to December 2024, and Kiir urged parliament to pass the necessary legislation to ensure the elections could be held as planned. Parliament Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba affirmed that lawmakers would work diligently to meet all the requirements for the upcoming elections.
Vice President Riek Machar, who previously led a rebel faction in a five-year civil war that ended in a peace deal in 2018, suggested extending the transitional government’s term to allow for adequate election preparation. The economic crisis in South Sudan, exacerbated by a decline in oil exports due to issues in Sudan, has left civil servants and security forces unpaid for the past six months. The country is also in the process of establishing a permanent constitution, electoral commission, and unified police force to address ongoing security challenges.
Despite efforts to stabilize the country and hold timely elections, communal violence continues to plague different regions of South Sudan. The United Nations has extended its peacekeeping mission in the country and called for an end to the violence, emphasizing the need for swift progress from the government to ensure peaceful and fair elections in December. The situation has been further complicated by the economic crisis and disruptions to oil exports, leading to financial hardships for government employees and security forces.
South Sudan is facing significant challenges in the lead-up to the December elections, including economic instability, ongoing violence, and logistical hurdles in establishing key institutions such as a permanent constitution and electoral commission. The delay in meeting these prerequisites has raised concerns about the country’s ability to conduct free and fair elections, as well as the government’s overall capacity to address pressing issues affecting its citizens. President Kiir’s call for lawmakers to prioritize the electoral process and refrain from seeking to extend their own terms in office highlights the critical need for democratic governance and respect for the will of the people.
Moving forward, South Sudan must navigate a complex political and economic landscape to ensure a peaceful transition of power through the upcoming elections. With the support and guidance of international partners like the United Nations, the government will need to address security concerns, administrative challenges, and economic hardships to create a conducive environment for democratic processes and citizen participation. The success of the December elections will be crucial in determining the country’s stability and legitimacy moving forward, as well as its ability to address longstanding issues and build a more prosperous future for all South Sudanese citizens.
