US deeply disappointed by “failure” of South Sudanese leaders
September 18, 2024 (JUBA) – The announcement of another extension of the transitional period marks the failure of South Sudan’s leaders to create the conditions necessary to hold genuine, peaceful and inclusive elections, the United States (US) ambassador to Juba said in a statement.
The statement comes barely a week after South Sudan’s parties to the September 2018 peace agreement announced an additional two-year extension to the country’s transitional period.
“We are deeply disappointed by this failure, because peace is our priority, and we are convinced that the best way to secure peace in South Sudan is by creating the conditions to hold such elections,” said Ambassador Michael J. Adler.
According to the diplomat, despite significant international support, including identification of 10 key issues for decision related to elections by the UN, AU, and IGAD, South Sudan’s political leaders have collectively failed to create the conditions necessary for such elections to take place.
“They have failed to make adequate public revenue available for electoral institutions, for security sector and civil service salaries, for basic services, or to mitigate the impact of humanitarian crisis,” said Adler.
“Our question then must be what is the priority of South Sudan’s leaders? We renew our call on them to demonstrate that their priority is their country and their people’s well-being,” he added.
The US diplomat said he abstained during the voting to endorse an extension of the transitional government in 2022 because he did not see any basis to believe that the 2022 extension would be different from the previous extensions, in which the leaders had also failed to prepare for elections.
“I said that if they acted with urgency to demonstrate the political will to make the 2022 extension different, I would welcome the opportunity to say that our analysis was wrong and that they had found the political will to take the steps necessary to deliver the better future the South Sudanese people deserve,” Adler remarked.
“Unfortunately, we have seen nothing over the past two years that would justify my saying this”, he stressed.
The US ambassador urged the transitional government to act with urgency to create the conditions necessary for genuine and peaceful elections, including expanded political and civic space, politically neutral security forces, funded and operationalized electoral institutions, and leaders’ public commitment to dialogue and rejection of violence as a tool for political competition.
All South Sudanese political leaders, he further said, should take advantage of every available opportunity to advance an inclusive and lasting peace, including through talks in Nairobi and through leadership-level dialogue in Juba.
According to the diplomat, however, the US relationship with the people of South Sudan is based on values, including peace, democracy, human rights, and a government responsive to its people’s needs, particularly with respect to transparent and appropriate use of public revenue.
He reiterated that the nature of the US relationship with the transitional government or any future government in South Sudan will reflect its commitment to these values.
“We renew our call on South Sudan’s leaders to demonstrate this commitment without further delay”, said Adler, adding that South Sudan’s leaders “must act with urgency to end the perpetual cycle of continuous transition in South Sudan.”
(ST)