![Dr. Lam Akol speaking to journalists during peace talks in Addis Ababa in 2018 [Photo by Sudans Post]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/WhatsApp-Image-2020-12-19-at-7.04.34-AM.jpeg?resize=1024%2C497&quality=89&ssl=1)
In a statement marking 12th South Sudan independence anniversary, Akol said that five month into the extension of the transitional period, key provisions necessary in the conduct of a free and fair elections have not been implemented.
“Today, five (5) months into the extended transitional period and seventeen (17) months to December 2024, the implementation pace of the agreement, especially fulfilling the pre-requisites, remains very slow,” Akol said in the statement extended to Sudans Post.
He said that elections will not be possible in 2024, citing statements from the head of UNMISS, Nicolas Haysom, and RJMEC chair, Charles Gituai, in which they said it will not be possible for South Sudan to hold credible elections under the current conditions and status of implementation of the R-ARCSS.
“In the 30th plenary meeting of RJMEC held on 6 July 2023, both the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General and head of UNMISS and the Acting Chairman of RJMEC made it clear that, as things stand, it will not be possible to hold credible elections under the current conditions and status of implementation of the R-ARCSS and urged the Parties to double up the implementation of the pre-requisites,” he added.
The prominent opposition leader further blamed the lack of will for the slow implementation of the 2018 peace agreement, saying that confidence deficit among the parties has not shown signs that it is going away.
“As we approach general elections, it must be admitted that the lack of will in implementing the agreement still persists and the confidence deficit has not shown any sign of slackening,” Akol said.
“It is therefore imperative that any move to speed up the pace towards elections should begin with addressing these two aspects,” he added.
