Agree on election roadmap, UN official tells S. Sudan leaders
July 9, 2022 (JUBA) – The head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Nicholas Haysom has urged South Sudanese leaders to agree on a roadmap required to pave way towards free, fair and credible elections.
“Now is the time for national leaders to redouble their efforts to agree on a roadmap – with clear benchmarks, timelines, and priorities to pave the way toward free, fair and credible elections,” he said in a statement on Friday.
The statement on the eve of South Sudan’s independence on July 9, 2022.
Haysom, also the Secretary-General’s special representative for South Sudan said the road to stability has been tough and the upcoming months will be critical as the transitional period approaches its end in February 2023.
The top UN official, however, reiterated the world body’s commitment to peace in Africa’s newest nation and vowed to continue promoting a safe and secure environment for civilians, facilitate delivery of humanitarian aid.
He said the UN would support the return of displaced families and refugees.
“Together, let us make peace gains irreversible and build the prosperous future to which all South Sudanese women, men and children aspire,” stressed Haysom.
The call comes days after South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir said the world’s newest nation is ready to hold a peaceful, transparent and fair election.
The South Sudanese leader made the remarks while meeting the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin in the capital, Juba on Tuesday.
“H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit wished His Holy Father a quick recovery and hopes that he visits South Sudan when he recovers. He also expressed how the people of South Sudan are eager to receive His Holiness,” the presidency noted in a statement issued on its Facebook page on Tuesday.
Kiir also vowed to ensure that citizens are united and work towards prosperity after elections, ruling out any possible return to another civil war.
South Sudan experienced nearly five years of a deadly conflict that killed over 400,000 people and displaced over 2 million into neighbouring nations.
For his part, Cardinal Pietro said he brought a message of peace and reconciliation from His Holiness Pope Francis to the South Sudanese leader.
(ST)