US doubtful of S. Sudan #39;s ability to hold credible elections

December 4, 2014 (JUBA) – As South Sudan prepares for elections in 2015, a United States envoy expressed doubt on possibilities of holding credible polls in the young country.

US ambassador-at-large for war crimes issues Stephen Rapp (R) speaking to reporters in Juba as the acting US ambassador to South Sudan looks on 9 October 2014 (ST)

Charles Twining, the charge de affairs at the US embassy in Juba, said donors do not expect elections to take place in South Sudan next year, despite the insistence from government.

According to Twining, time is short for vote preparations.

“We as the government of the United States together with other donors look at multiple issues and we feel that time is too short. As we look at the possibility of elections; we truly do not see how an election can be prepared in such a short period of time. The constitution calls for a census before elections,” he told reporters in Juba on Thursday.

“There is so much that needs to be done. There is also the insecurity in the country. Can everyone have the access to the ballot box?” the diplomat said.

South Sudan says it can only postpone next year’s elections if a peace agreement is not reached with its armed opposition within the next few months.

Analysts argue that the gap between government and the opposition over executive powers remain wide with discussions focused on whether president, Salva Kiir and his former deputy-turned rebel leader, Riek Machar should he allowed to share power.

In September last year, however, South Sudan’s vice-president, James Wani Igga, told the United Nations General Assembly that his country would hold elections as constitutionally required in 2015.

The vice-president’s remarks emerged weeks after senior officials, including president Kiir, cited lack of funds and the delays in the constitutional review process as major setbacks to the 2015 polls.

Critics say delays in the election process were simply a ploy by the president and his allies to prolong their grip onto power, an allegation Kiir’s supporters have dismissed.

(ST)