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12 August 2024 (New York) – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called on all parties in South Sudan to engage with each other to agree on procedures and timetable for holding peaceful elections.
The report, submitted to Security Council members, covers the period from 16 February to 15 July 2024, political and security developments, the humanitarian and human rights situation, and progress in implementing the UN Mission’s mandate.
Guterres particularly stressed that the parties have not yet reached the “critical mass” level of implementation necessary to hold free, fair and credible elections.
However, he said that despite budget constraints, the Transitional Government of National Unity continued its efforts to provide seed funding to the National Electoral Commission, although the funds were insufficient to meet the budgetary requirements for organizing the proposed elections.
“I also note that the National Electoral Commission has taken steps to assess grassroots infrastructure and facilities and consulted key stakeholders on the electoral process, besides appointing the State High Electoral Committee,” the report reads.
Guterres welcomed the ongoing political dialogue, including between the parties and non-signatory groups at the Juba High-Level Standing Committee Forum and the Nairobi Tumani Initiative, saying it was key to ending the transition.
The Toumani Initiative is a high-level mediation effort in South Sudan that unites parties and groups to ensure an inclusive and localized process, modeled on a pan-African policy of African solutions to African challenges. It is aligned with the Silencing the Guns in Africa initiative and fosters an environment conducive to transformational development in South Sudan and across the continent.
“I welcome the efforts of the Government of Kenya to support the Tumani Initiative, which led to its announcement on 16 May of its commitment to cease hostilities with non-signatory groups and to continue dialogue,” he told the Council.
Guterres said the initiative lays the foundation for the inclusion of non-signatories in the peace process and will complement the implementation of the revitalized agreement. He stressed that the initiative helps to reach consensus and compromises that can be discussed by the parties and consolidated within the framework of the 2018 peace agreement.
Meanwhile, the Secretary-General expressed concern about the conflict in Sudan and its impact on neighbouring countries, including South Sudan, noting that the influx of more than 700,000 returnees, refugees and asylum seekers was adding to the pressure on local communities already facing dwindling resources.
Equally worrying, he told the Council, was the impact of inter-communal violence on the creation of an enabling environment for pre-election political campaigning.
“I encourage the Transitional Government to continue its efforts to address inter-communal grievances,” Guterres stressed.
The 2018 peace agreement initially envisaged the end of the transitional government in 2023. However, due to key provisions not being met, particularly security arrangements, the timetable was extended to February 2025. Despite this, the National Electoral Commission (NEC) announced December 22, 2024 as the election date.
Observers say the situation remains fluid and South Sudan still has many obstacles to overcome before holding its first elections since independence in 2011.
(English stone)
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