South Sudan peace secretariat completes review on election feasibility
September 12, 2024 (JUBA) – The Secretariat created to review the implementation of the 2018 peace agreement and the roadmap said it finalized its work to be submitted to the presidency.
The High-Level Standing Committee, comprising of members of the political party signatory to the peace agreement, reviewed reports from institutions as the National Election Commission (NEC), Political Parties Council, National Constitution Review Commission, Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs the National Bureau of Statistics and the security mechanisms, including the Joint Defense Board, Joint Military Ceasefire Commission and Joint Technical Committee.
The presidency and leaders of the political parties that signed the peace agreement had earlier sought technical advice from the electoral institutions on the feasibility of the upcoming elections.
The ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), the Sudan People’s Liberation in Opposition (SPLM-IO), South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) and Other Political Parties (OPP) that are part of the country’s transitional arrangement took part in the review process.
The chairperson of the High Level Committee, Tut Gatluak Manime told reporters in the capital, Juba on Wednesday that they reviewed the implementation of the agreement and the pending tasks.
“We have sat as parties from the peace agreement because there are pending issues and there is permanent constitution making in the peace agreement and other frameworks and foundations. All these were reviewed, whether it brings elections or political freedom in South Sudan”, he stated.
Gatluak said the committee seeks to ensure that peace and stability prevails in South Sudan.
“We have agreed to submit our report to the presidency to decide on the way forward,” he said.
For his part, however, South Sudan’s Cabinet affairs minister martin Elia Lomuro said their decision was made on the technical reports the committee received from the relevant institutions linked to the elections, census, constitution-making, security sector reforms and political freedom.
“On the basis of our analyses, assessments and observations we have made the recommendations to the presidency and these recommendations are strictly technical based on the technical reports that we have received from the institutions that are concerning elections. Whatever decision will be made by the extended meeting of the presidency”, he explained.
The minister said the committee remains committed to ensure that peace prevails in the country.
Meanwhile the report received mixed reactions with some considering it would be a unilateral decision by the transitional government to extend its lifespan at the expense of the Kenya led peace process which advocates a need for an inclusive decision by the parties for another extension through the Tumaini Initiative that will lead to a clear plan for peace and stability in the country.
Others, however, view it as a ploy to cancel elections mandated by the 2018 peace agreement to have been conducted in 2022 but extended to 2024 through a roadmap agreed upon by the parties.
Although the National Elections Commission (NEC) has announced December 22, 2024 as the election date, observers say the situation remains precarious, with many obstacles to be overcome.
(ST)