President Salva Kiir has asked the civil society groups to
provide a way forward in transitioning the country to a democratic dispensation
as election deadlock threatens conduct of the exercise.
In a message conveyed on Tuesday to the South Sudan Civil
Society Forum by the Minister of Presidential Affairs, Joseph Bakasoro, Kiir
asks the stakeholders to tell the truth to set the country free from political,
economic, and social crises.
“He [Kiir] is aware of it [conference]; we briefed him
yesterday [Monday], and he encourages you to deliberate freely, openly, and
come to a solution,” said Bakasoro.
With less than nine months left to the scheduled first-ever
general elections, the parties to the revitalized peace agreement still hold
different positions on the conduct of elections due to the critical pending
prerequisites.
The unity government draws its legitimacy from the peace
agreement and with the transitional period approaching expiry date on February
22, 2025, the government will be rendered illegitimate if the period ends
without elected government in place hence Kiir now expresses determination to
legitimize the government through election in December despite having not
implemented the prerequisites.
However, his First Vice President and Opposition Leader Dr.
Riek Machar proposes extension of the period for two more years to let the
parties implement the prerequisites for credible elections.
Dr. Machar maintains that election is the last thing to do
in the peace agreement while Kiir believes it is what South Sudanese need now.
“Sacrifice as civil society, as religious leaders. Sacrifice
to tell the truth and the truth will set you free. Not only set you free, but
it will also set your country free,” Bakasoro stated.
“This should be the end of the transitional period. No
extension. According to the government of the day, there is no extension. Who
is going to accept the extension? The government said no extension. The United
Nations said no extension. The Troika said no extension. The European Union
said no extension. The IGAD said no extension.”
The South Sudan Opposition Alliance and other political
parties have also supported the determination of the SPLM in government for
elections this year.
“The only issue is what is the way forward? Which is now for
you to tell us in good faith what is the way forward. This is the message I am
bringing to you,” said Bakasoro.
Months ago, the special representative of the Secretary
General of the United Nations and head of UN mission in South Sudan said it is
impossible to envision credible elections in December. He also said the country
is not ready for elections given all it takes to conduct elections are yet to
be met.
However, Bakasoro insists that the civil society should
recommend possible ways for the conduct of elections this year.
“Come up with the resolutions; sell them out, expose them so
that from there, we can pick up and then move forward. Your resolution should
be objective, constructive, implementable,” he said.
He also revealed that there will be political parties
dialogue later this this week.
“There is a political dialogue going to take place later
this week. But you have already gone ahead. I praise you and I encourage you.
Whatever you come with here, base it on construction, objectivity, and then,
probably, you never know. You can pull the whole animal to us and say this is
the way to go.”
The minister of Presidential Affairs made the remarks on
Tuesday while launching a three-day civil society dialogue on the way forward
on the transition process.
The civic and political leaders’ dialogue, which brought
together 70 participants from the national and state levels, representatives of
political parties, legislative Assembly, and international observers from the
diplomatic community will focus on the constitution-making process, security
arrangements, transitional justice, and the national elections.