Suzanne Jambo, former secretary for external affairs at South Sudan’s ruling party secretariat, announced her intention to contest the planned 2018 presidential election.

“I believe that I have the spirit of leadership, strength and courage. I have a passion for South Sudan, besides my ability such as programs and vision, so I believe that I can deliver,” Jambo, once a supporter of President Kiir while in office, said in an interview with Radio Tamazuj today.

The former SPLM official said she will run on a party ticket, pointing out that she was planning to form a new political party.“I am planning to form a new political party with a vision relevant to our current situation in South Sudan,” she said.

The female politician, who is now living in exile, stressed the importance of free and credible elections in 2018 for South Sudan democracy, while accusing the current administration of failing to make peace in the country.

Jambo further said she chose to run in next year’s presidential election so that she could introduce reforms and new programs to build South Sudan.

She urged Kiir’s government to allow freedoms, arguing that multi-party system should be allowed as it is the best option in South Sudan’s democracy.

The former ruling party official also accused the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) of failing to govern the world’s youngest nation, claiming that the South Sudanese leaders have hijacked the country.

“I should not be held accountable because I was in the SPLM party. I worked hard when I was still in office to make reforms but I could not succeed because my voice was marginalized,” she said.

She pointed out that just peace and accountability will be the top programs if she wins the planned 2018 election.

Suzanne warned that change was coming through free elections next year.

Chapter 1, Article 16 of the 2015 peace accord is about general elections in South Sudan. According to the 2015 peace deal, the elections must take place 60 days before the end of the transitional period, which will be in 2018.