Critical tasks required for conduct of South Sudan elections: RJMEC

Officials from RJMEC briefing members of the United Nations Security Council, October 23, 2023 (RJMEC)

October 23, 2023 (JUBA) – Critical tasks are required to enable adequate preparations for the conduct of elections sixty days before the end of the transitional period, the peace monitoring body (RJMEC) said.

Amb. Berhanu Kebede, the Chief of Staff at RJMEC was on Monday presenting a report on the status of South Sudan’s revitalized peace agreement to the United Nations Security Council.

He cited reconstitution of the Political Parties Council (PPC) and the National Electoral Commission (NEC), among others, as some critical tasks to be finalized.

“Among the tasks of the PPC is the registration and regulation of activities of political parties, and improving the overall political and civic space for effective public participation in elections,” said Amb. Kebede.

He added, “The NEC is supposed to oversee the overall conduct of the election”.

The official acknowledged the passing by lawmakers of the National Elections Act 2012 (Amendment) Bill 2023, which was assented into law by President Salva Kiir.

“It [Parliament] also passed the Bank of South Sudan Act 2011, (Amendment) Bill 2023 and the Banking Act, 2011 (Amendment) Bill 2023. These bills await the Presidential assent into law and subsequent operationalization,” Amb. Kebede told the Security Council.

Also submitted by the Justice ministry for further deliberations to Council of Ministers are Bills on the Commission for Truth Reconciliation and Healing (CTRH) and the Compensation and Reparation Authority (CRA), he added.

Meanwhile, Amb. Kebede said the permanent ceasefire continued to hold during the reporting period, despite skirmishes between the South Sudanese army (SSPDF) and the National Salvation Front (NAS) in Central Equatoria State.

He, however, said humanitarian situation continued to worsen in South Sudan due to flooding, diminishing funding and the scale of humanitarian need, which has been deepened by the influx of refugees and returnees fleeing the Sudan conflict.

“The safety and security of humanitarian workers and goods remained a challenge despite repeated pleas by the humanitarian community. Incidences of attacks and looting of humanitarian convoys and goods continued to be reported and affected the humanitarian response,” stressed Amb. Kabede.

He commended the political goodwill from regional and international stakeholders to support South Sudan in the pursuit of sustainable peace and development.

“Therefore, expectations are that the Parties will adhere to the Agreement, increase the pace of implementation and demonstrate tangible progress in the completion of the critical pending tasks,” remarked the RJMEC official.

According to Amb. Kebede, the peace monitoring body underscores the importance of a people led and a people owned permanent constitution for the conduct of a credible free and fair election at the end of the transitional period.

“Every effort should therefore be made on the part of the RTGoNU to prioritize and expedite its making in accordance with the Agreement,” he emphasized.

(ST)