UN SG urges Kiir to reconcile SPLM ahead of 2015 elections

November 15, 2013 (JUBA) – The United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon has urged South Sudan president, Salva Kiir to continue reconciling members of the south-ruling party (SPLM) ahead of the country’s 2015 elections.

In his report on South Sudan to the Security Council, Ki Moon said pre-election processes, such as party registration, constituency demarcation and selection of candidate need to be handled in a “transparent” and “inclusive” manner.

The 8 November report was submitted accordance with the Security Council resolution 2109 (2013), by which it extended the UN mission mandate in the country, until 15 July 2014.

“To avoid potentially destabilizing uncertainty, it is important that the Government [of South Sudan] takes the necessary decisions regarding the census and the timing of the elections without further delay, while making effort to create a political and security environment that will guarantee free, fair and credible elections in 2015,” he said.

There are already concerns that the next elections may not take place as planned, given the country’s census is yet to be conducted raising fears of possible delays in the election process.

Political tensions in some of the country’s 10 states, the UN chief told the Security Council, could largely undermine the outcomes of the highly anticipated elections.

The SPLM is has officially confirmed it will convene its long awaited leadership meeting from November 23 – 25, amidst fears of sparking further internal crisis in the party.

At the National Liberation Council (NLC) meeting, SPLM members are expected to deliberate on and pass the long overdue four basic documents, which include the constitution, manifesto, code of conduct and rules and regulations, as well as try to resolve the ongoing differences among its senior leaders.

This NLC’s late intervention comes after the Political Bureau (PB), which is the highest executive body of the party, failed to meet initially due to the crisis the senior leadership went into during the preliminary PB meeting on 5 March 2013.

The Secretary General’s report also addresses the political, security, human rights and humanitarian situations in the country, among other issues.

Meanwhile, Ki Moon further expressed concerns about the situation in parts of Jonglei State, where considerable numbers of civilians have been killed and many thousands displaced by the ongoing fighting, violent actions “perpetrated by undisciplined elements of SPLA” [Sudan People Liberation Army], inter-communal violence and the activities of armed groups.

He specifically cited the latest raid in Jonglei’s Twic East county where armed elements reportedly killed at least 56 people, saying it underscores the continued challenges government faces in the protection of civilians and extension of its authority.

The Jonglei emergency, he stressed, requires a government-led peace process that will bring all stakeholders on-board and will address underlying causes of the conflict.

(ST)