Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Uganda Monitor
Published on 2024-03-24 14:41:39
South Sudan is currently facing the possibility of a second extension of the transition period due to ongoing delays in implementing key aspects of the 2018 peace agreement. The issue of extending the term and whether to hold elections at all has sparked division within the government, specifically between First Vice-President Riek Machar and other senior figures in the unity government.
Dr. Machar initiated the discussion on extending the transition period with a letter to the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (R-JMEC) on March 18. In the letter, he proposed revising the roadmap and engaging in dialogue among the signatory parties to the peace agreement.
The Roadmap, signed by the parties in 2022, extended the transition period by 24 months to December 2024. Key provisions of the agreement, such as passing electoral laws, unifying and deploying forces, and establishing an electoral body, have not been met. Dr. Machar emphasized the importance of voter registration prior to elections, while also considering options presented by JMEC for census-based elections or revising the roadmap.
However, President Salva Kiir opposes extending the transition period, citing a desire for a popular constitutional process for choosing leaders. The differing positions between President Kiir and Dr. Machar have further complicated the path towards holding elections in December 2024.
The SPLM-IO, Dr. Machar’s political organization, has threatened to boycott elections unless key prerequisites outlined in the peace agreement are met. These prerequisites include unifying rival forces, enacting a permanent constitution, conducting a census, resettling refugees and internally displaced persons, and addressing transitional justice.
The delay in security sector reforms poses a significant challenge to ensuring peaceful elections. Without completed reforms, stakeholders argue that holding free and credible elections will be difficult. The delayed electoral register publication, operational challenges within the National Electoral Commission, and uncertain funding for elections further complicate the process.
Amidst these challenges, there is a consensus among some stakeholders that completion of security sector reforms, a permanent constitution, and delineation of constituencies are essential for credible elections. Dialogue among signatory parties on the election process and related issues is seen as crucial in moving forward.
Failure to hold elections would not only be a setback for the peace process but also a collective failure on the part of South Sudan’s leaders. The international community, represented by Troika, calls on South Sudanese leaders to honor their commitments to their people by upholding peace, human rights, democracy, and responsive governance.
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