UN chief urges South Sudan parties to agree on election procedures
August 12, 2024 (NEW YORK) – The United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres has called on the parties in South Sudan to engage with each other with a view to agreeing on the procedures for conducting peaceful elections and the timeline.
The report, presented to members of the Security Council, covers political and security developments, the humanitarian and human rights situation and progress towards the implementation of the mandate of the UN mission between 16 February and 15 July 2024.
Guterres specifically highlighted that the parties are yet to achieve a “critical mass” of implementation necessary for peaceful conduct of free, fair and credible elections.
He, however, said despite budgetary constraints, the Transitional Government of National Unity has continued working to provide seed funds to the National Elections Commission, albeit short of the estimated budgetary needs to organize the proposed election.
“I also note that the National Elections Commission has taken steps to assess the ground-level infrastructure and facilities and has consulted with key stakeholders on the electoral process, in addition to appointing state high elections committees,” reads the report.
The UN chief welcomed the political dialogue under way, including between the parties in the High Level Standing Committee forum in Juba and the Tumaini initiative in Nairobi, with the non-signatory groups, saying it is key in efforts to end the transitional period.
The Tumaini Initiative, a high-level mediation effort for South Sudan, has united various parties and groups, ensuring an inclusive and home-grown process modelled on the Pan-African policy of African solutions to African challenges. It aligns with the ‘Silencing the Guns in Africa’ initiative, fostering an environment conducive to transformational development in South Sudan and across the continent.
“I welcome the efforts of the Government of Kenya in supporting the Tumaini initiative, which has resulted in the declaration of commitment of 16 May to cease hostilities with the non-signatory groups and to continue dialogue,” he told the Security Council.
Guterres said the initiative provides a foundation for the inclusion of the non-signatory groups with a view to sustaining peace and should complement the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement, stressing that the Initiative should help to generate consensus and compromise that can be taken into the inter-party discussion and consolidated within the framework of the 2018 peace deal.
Meanwhile, Secretary General expressed concerns over the conflict in Sudan and its impact on neighbouring countries like South Sudan. He specifically said the influx of over 700,000 returnees, refugees and asylum-seekers is exacerbating the strain on local communities already grappling with diminishing resources.
Equally worrying, he told the Council, is the impact of intercommunal violence on creation of a conducive environment for political campaigning prior to the elections.
“I encourage the Transitional Government to continue with efforts to address intercommunal grievances,” stressed Guterres.
The 2018 peace agreement initially envisioned the transitional government ending in 2023. However, due to unmet key provisions, notably security arrangements, the timeline was extended to February 2025. Despite this, however, the National Elections Commission (NEC) has announced December 22, 2024, as the election date.
Observers say the situation remains precarious, with many obstacles to overcome before South Sudan can hold its first elections since gaining independence in 2011.
(ST)