South Sudan leaders call for institutional harmony head of elections

Speaking at the swearing ceremony of Interior minister Angelina Teny and her deputy Marial Gumke, Kiir urged the two leaders to work together and ensure the institution deliver its mandate.

“Working together in harmony is paramount. It will allow you to deliver on your mandate”, remarked Kiir.

For his part, Machar urged the new officials to prepare a conducive environment for conduct of elections.

Also sworn in during the occasion presided over by the Chief Justice was the new Deputy Governor of Lakes State, Isaiah Akol Mathiang.

Meanwhile the Interior minister welcomed her assignment and vowed she would join hands with officials in the ministry to improve performances.

In August last year, South Sudan’s leaders signed a two-year extension of the transitional government, in a move foreign partners warned as lacking legitimacy.

This was the second time the parties extended the country’s transitional period.

Machar earlier said implementation of key provisions in the roadmap lagged behind.

In July, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General in South Sudan, Nicholas Haysom said the young nation could still make significant strides towards this December 2024 target to hold elections with political will, adequate resourcing and commitment to create an appropriate political environment.

(ST)