Regional News

International peace guarantors criticize South Sudan election postponement

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir addresses a news conference at the State House in Juba, South Sudan

Nairobi, Sept 19—International guarantors of South Sudan’s peace process said the transitional government’s postponement of elections due in December was disappointing and showed its failure to implement a 2018 peace plan.

Last Friday, South Sudan President Salva Kiir’s office announced an extension of the transitional period by two years and postponed elections for a second time following a delay in 2022.

South Sudan has formally been at peace since the 2018 agreement ended a five-year conflict responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths, but violence between rival communities flares frequently.

Britain, the United States, Norway, the European Union, Canada, France, Germany and the Netherlands – guarantors of the peace process since South Sudan’s independence from Sudan in 2011 – said the extension was a disappointment.

“This decision reflects the failure of the transitional government to implement the 2018 peace agreement despite the promises made with the release of the ‘roadmap’ in 2022,” they said in a joint statement late on Wednesday.

Elections were the best way to bring peace to the country and South Sudan’s leaders must act urgently to create the necessary conditions for them to take place, the group said.

Minister of Cabinet Affairs Martin Elia Lomuro said the government appreciated the guarantors’ position and did not condemn it.

“You didn’t support this extension, that’s fine but what we can be sure about is that we will not let South Sudan go to war again,” the minister said on Wednesday in remarks quoted by Eye Radio, a local station.

The election would have picked leaders to succeed the transitional government, which includes Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar, whose respective forces battled each other during the civil war.

The United Nations’ special envoy for South Sudan, Nicholas Haysom, said in a statement it was evident that the country was not ready for elections.

Related posts

Anger as Zimbabwe approves new radio levy for motorists

ndiwalanakiwa@gmail.com

Historic Day: All Saints Cathedral Dedicated, Ven. Baalwa Enthroned

Dean Lubowa Saava

BUGANDA KINGDOM EMBROILED IN LAND DISPUTE: Buganda Land Board Clashes With Nsubuga Family Over Kiboga Property.

Cathy Mirembe

ENVIRONMENT: THE ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS.

admin

Museveni, US Special Envoy Discuss Security Matters Over Sudan Conflict.

Dean Lubowa Saava

PREMIER LEAGUE : It Was A Draw For Liverpool Vs Manchester City.

Dean Lubowa Saava

Queen of Busoga Kingdom Her Royal Highness Jovia Mutesi is set to address the Kingdoms subjects since her coming to the palace.

Dean Lubowa Saava

Besigye takes Kenyan Gov’t to court over ‘Abduction and Illegal Handover’ to Uganda

ndiwalanakiwa@gmail.com

This May, South Africa Is Going To The Polls.

Dean Lubowa Saava

Protests In New Delhi Over The Arrest Of Arvind Kejriwal.

Dean Lubowa Saava

Leave a Comment