UNMISS's Guang Cong. (UN photo)

‘Conditions to hold elections not in place’-UNMISS Deputy Chief

The Deputy Special Representative for South Sudan and Deputy Head of the United Nations Mission has said the conditions for South Sudan to hold elections are not in place yet.

The Deputy Special Representative for South Sudan and Deputy Head of the United Nations Mission has said the conditions for South Sudan to hold elections are not in place yet.

Guang Cong made the remark while addressing the thirty-first RJMEC Plenary in Juba on Thursday. He also said raised concerns about the lack of progress on electoral benchmarks.

“Despite the growing calls for elections in the public domain, we are concerned about the lack of progress in key electoral and constitutional benchmarks. As it stands, the conditions for South Sudan to hold elections are not in place yet,” he said. “There is an urgent need for the adoption of the National Elections Act by the RTNLA, the reconstitution of the National Constitutional Review Commission, the National Elections Commission, and the Political Parties Council. 2023 is a critical ‘make or break’ year for free, fair, and credible elections in 2024.”

“With less than four months left in 2023, all parties to the Peace Agreement are therefore urgently requested to demonstrate their political will by expediting the implementation of key outstanding benchmarks of the Roadmap,” Cong added.

He said political will, pragmatism, and leadership are paramount. 

“The Transitional Security Arrangements are behind schedule and the latest call by the Presidency directing the immediate deployment of the Necessary Unified Forces and the commencement of Phase II is a welcome development,” Cong said, adding, “It goes without saying that the security of the country before, during, and after the elections is non-negotiable.”

The UNMISS Deputy Head also noted that Agreement mechanisms continue to face funding constraints and encouraged the transitional government to implement its commitments and provide the required funding to allow these mechanisms to complete their tasks.

According to Cong, the first anniversary of the adoption of the Roadmap must be a sober reminder of the urgency required to finalize the outstanding tasks.

“Building the necessary foundation to end the transitional period through free, fair, and credible elections by December 2024 depends on the urgent, joint efforts of all the parties today.  More than ever, rhetoric needs to be matched by tangible action,” he counseled.  “We appreciate the support and engagement of the international community, partners, and friends of South Sudan and reiterate that now is not the time to take our eyes off the ball in South Sudan.”

“UNMISS stands ready to collaborate with the Government, RJMEC, the AU, IGAD, and the rest of the international community to help take the peace process forward,” Cong reiterated.

He commended South Sudan for its positive stance on welcoming returnees and refugees fleeing from the conflict in Sudan.

“The prolongation of this crisis and its repercussions on South Sudan is concerning – with the latest count of over 213,000 arrivals. Early this month the humanitarian community noted the urgent need for US$26.4 million to provide onward transportation from Renk and other crossing points until the end of the year for the tens of thousands of returnees coming in from Sudan,” he said. “The congestion and increased competition over scarce resources in the border areas, if not duly addressed, could exacerbate tensions between the returnees and host communities.”

Cong said UNMISS has intensified its patrols and reinforced its presence in Renk to work with the government to mitigate and prevent any potential outbreak of violence.