South Sudan can hold credible elections in 2024: UNMISS

Nicholas Haysom urged political leaders to tackle challenges in order to hold free, fair and credible elections.

He cited completion of the security arrangements, deploying unified forces and disbursing money to operationalize electoral bodies as some of the country’s obstacles to be addressed.

“South Sudan is at a crossroad. This country can now choose a path that gives people the opportunity to participate in peaceful and credible elections. And there are strong indications that South Sudanese want elections,” said Haysom.

About 90% of people interviewed in an UNMISS Perception Survey reportedly said that elections are important to them, and they intend to vote.

UNMISS’s view has always been that elections can be held in December, but only if the country’s leaders take urgent action to overcome key obstacles.

“My previous remarks regarding the capacity of the country to host elections related directly to the conditions that within applicable and the failure to properly stand up the institutions which are necessary and which we now see being established,” Haysom told reporters on Tuesday.

He, however, said decisions are needed on the type of elections to be held.

“Consensus must be reached on a realistic electoral calendar, taking into account operational, logistical, legal, and security issues,” Haysom stressed.

He added, “Transitional Security Arrangements must be finalized, an electoral security plan must be agreed, and the Necessary Unified Forces deployed to provide a secure environment.”