The Inter-governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) is working hard to complete the transitional period before elections in December this year, Special Envoy to South Sudan, Ismail Wais said.
Speaking in Juba on Thursday at the closing session of a three-day civil society forum on the way forward to ending the transitional period, Wais called on the civil society group to work on the continuation of the peace process in South Sudan.
“I ask civil society to continue addressing the political leaders in South Sudan, in addition to the international community and international organizations, about the peace process in the country,” he said.
He pointed out that IGAD is working hard and stands with the people of South Sudan to complete the transitional period and go to the December 2024 elections so that South Sudan becomes a peaceful member of the regional bloc IGAD.
Wais pointed out that civil society is critical in the peace process, saying that civil society was part of the peace process in the country, adding that the elections are considered a stage of democratic transformation in South Sudan.
“IGAD is not going anywhere. IGAD is the guarantor of the peace agreement.” Wais said. “We in IGAD want free and transparent elections,” he stressed.
Bishop Moses Deng Bol, a representative of the Council of Churches, said that the leaders of the South must agree to divide power without external interference, noting that the revitalized peace agreement gave the peace parties an opportunity during the transitional period in South Sudan.
“This is something that South Sudanese leaders can agree on an agenda without IGAD interference, and this is considered a positive step for politicians.”
Agatha Nduna, responsible for the transitional justice program in South Sudan and Kenya, explained that the role of civil society and the media has never stopped at the level of striving for peace, freedom and democracy. She underscored that the media and civil society are soldiers without weapons working for democracy and peace in South Sudan.
The civil society platform aimed to follow up on the peace process in South Sudan and prepare for the upcoming elections in December this year.