The civil society and some residents of Eastern Equatoria State are opposed to the postponement of the December General Election to 2026 under the current leadership.
They said on Monday that the continuous extension of the government’s tenure, without the implementation of the outstanding issues, would drag the country into anarchy.
South Sudan was expected to hold its first ever General Election since independence in December, to end the transitional period. However, the government last week postponed the poll, extending its tenure by two years.
The development has prompted a wide range of reactions, with some arguing that the decision was reached without proper consultations.
Eastern Equatoria State civil society activist working for Peace Link Foundation Charles Cyprian Okullu told Radio Tamazuj that the extension was not in the interest of the citizens since they were not consulted.
He said South Sudan needed new faces to change the current mess the country was enduring.
“All of us, including the Tumaini Initiative talks’ demands, were eagerly waiting for the December 22 poll,” he said.
He said consultations would have helped determine how best to handle the remaining government period, but the decision by the Presidency had left the masses out.
A resident of Hai Inkas in Torit, Daniel Alex Oduho, said extending the election period with the same leaders in the system worried the citizens. He urged the government to prioritize peace and the economy by supporting farming and reducing prices and taxes.
Vicky Kulang, a resident of Hai Askal in Torit, welcomed the extension, saying it will enable parties to the agreement to implement the pending provisions. She urged the parties to commit themselves to rendering quality services to the suffering population.
A resident of Hai Idimele of Ikotos Town, Loboi Solomon, urged the government to address the economic crisis by prioritizing the local pound over the US dollar at all levels.
“You go to the market and people are suffering. You cannot send your children to school. Let the government address the issue of the dollar,” he said.