A senior U.S. State Department official cautioned on Friday that the forthcoming elections scheduled for December in South Sudan face significant credibility challenges without immediate intervention, citing the government’s sluggish preparations. In an interview with Reuters, the official affirmed concerns about the potential for the elections to become a sham process unless urgent measures are taken.
South Sudan plans to hold national elections later this year to select new leaders following the current transitional government, which comprises President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar, both of whose factions engaged in conflict during the 2013-2018 civil war. President Kiir announced in 2022 an extension of the transitional government’s tenure by an additional two years, thereby postponing the scheduled elections.
Assessing the likelihood of the December elections proceeding as planned, the U.S. official expressed a cautious stance, stating it as “50/50.” Speaking anonymously, the official emphasized that the U.S. would explore various options, including sanctions and adjustments to its diplomatic engagement in the event of election delays or outbreaks of violence.
The government of South Sudan did not respond immediately to requests for comment. Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Africa, Sudan, and South Sudan Peter Lord recently visited the country, urging its leaders to undertake necessary measures to ensure credible and peaceful elections in December, as reported by the embassy.
Despite the formal cessation of hostilities since the 2018 peace agreement, South Sudan continues to experience sporadic violence among rival communities. The U.S. official highlighted concerns regarding South Sudan’s failure to fulfill commitments made two years ago, such as conducting a census, drafting a constitution, and establishing requisite democratic institutions for the elections.
The official noted that while President Kiir appears to favor holding elections for the legitimacy they confer, individuals within his circle, including Machar, are reluctant due to the potential political repercussions. Machar and his allies maintain that the commitments outlined in the extended peace agreement must be fulfilled before elections, a task deemed unfeasible within the current timeline.
The official also pointed out that Kiir and his supporters leverage Machar’s stance and other obstructive actions, such as the failure to provide a unified forces roster, as rationales for inaction. Civil society in South Sudan shares concerns about the inadequate preparations and the looming risk of violence amidst the election process. There exists a desire for elections, albeit tempered by the acknowledgment that the government has yet to fulfill essential prerequisites.
(Reuters)
