British diplomat urges South Sudan to provide clear roadmap for elections

JUBA – The visiting United Kingdom’s Special Envoy to Sudan and South Sudan, Robert Fair-weather, on Tuesday called on political leaders in South Sudan to provide clear roadmap for elections.

Last month, a team of four senior government officials submitted a roadmap to President Salva Kiir at the State House J1.

The team comprised the Presidential Advisor Tut Gatluak Manime, Cabinet Minister Dr. Martin Elia Lomoro, Foreign Minister Mayiik Ayii Deng, and Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth.

The draft proposal, pending deliberation by the presidency, will guide the country towards the end of the transitional period and pave the way for peaceful and credible elections.

Speaking during a press conference in Juba on Tuesday, UK envoy Robert said a clear roadmap is needed to tackle the approaching end of the transitional period.

“What we would like to see is a roadmap which will shed some details of what action will be taken, who will be responsible for delivery of those actions, timeframe, and how the implementation will be funded,” he said.

Robert said the people of South Sudan are frustrated with the slow implementation of the 2018 peace deal.

“We know that the people of South Sudan are frustrated with slow implementation and they are frustrated with what many people call lack of political will,” he said.

“There need for political will, but we have seen extension, and we had promised before, and there need to change this time.”

He said the extension of the transitional period is not a roadmap for the implementation of a peace pact.

Johnny Baxter, British Ambassador to South Sudan said the implementation of the peace deal is lacking behind.

“The UK has been concerned that the peace agreement has not been implemented fast enough and this slow progress risks the chance of achieving enduring peace that south Sudan deserves,” Baxter said.

Baxter said the slow progress in peace implementation risk the chance of achieving the lasting peace that the people of South Sudan deserved.

“The only vehicle to secure lasting peace and stable and secure living environment for south Sudanese people remains the peace agreement that was reached by the parties in 2018, and this peace agreement remains the only path to peace, prosperity, accountability, transparency, and stability in South Sudan.”