VP Machar calls for credible, inclusive elections

February 19, 2024 (JUBA) – A free, credible, democratic and inclusive election in key in attaining peace in South Sudan, First Vice President, Riek Machar has said.

“We want peace. Our priority is peace. All what we want is free, credible, democratic and inclusive exercise. All these arrangements meant to secure the country and secure the elections,” he told a United Nations team led by Jean Pierre Lacroix, the Undersecretary General for Peace Operations Department.

Machar and the UN team met in his office in the capital, Juba on Monday.

Discussions, a statement from the office of the First Vice President noted, revolved around topics related to the 2018 revitalized peace agreement as well as the overall humanitarian situation; the influx of refugees and displaced persons (IDPs), de-escalation of Abyei tensions and its impact on the humanitarian situation.

“H.E. Dr. Machar also called on the people of South Sudan, the region and the international community to focus on implementing the Revitalised Peace Agreement in order to guarantee peaceful elections,” said the statement.

The armed opposition leader also briefed the UN team on the status of the peace agreement, outlining the important tasks required to conduct peaceful elections.

Such tasks include completion of security sector reforms, population census, constitution-making process and availing resources to elections-related institutions.

Meanwhile, Lacroix said they had a good meeting with the First Vice President and had thorough discussions on the electoral process on how to move the country forward, resolve the ongoing humanitarian situation, status of refugees and de-escalation of tensions in Abyei Administrative Area peacefully.

He assured Machar that the UN is committed to working in partnership with the government in order to bring about sustainable peace and stability in the country.

(ST)