Kenya backs South Sudan’s December elections

NAIROBI – Kenya has backed South Sudan’s plan to hold general elections on Dec. 22, with President William Ruto urging political parties to pursue dialogue and consensus as the country prepares to end its prolonged transitional period.

Ruto made the pledge after hosting South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit at State House in Nairobi on Monday.

“Kenya stands ready to support South Sudan in this endeavour while encouraging dialogue and consensus among all parties,” Ruto said in a statement posted on his social media account.

Kiir travelled to Kenya on Sunday for talks on South Sudan’s electoral preparations and efforts to secure regional and continental support for a peaceful, credible and inclusive election, according to his office.

The visit was Kiir’s first foreign trip since he dissolved the transitional government on Sept. 22.

South Sudan’s National Elections Commission has begun preparations for the vote, including training state election committees on voter registration.

The commission has also dismissed reports that voter registration had already begun, saying registration had not started.

The election preparations are taking place amid political tensions over the implementation of the 2018 peace agreement.

The government has said the electoral process is moving through legal, administrative, logistical, security and political-dialogue tracks, while opposition groups have questioned whether conditions are sufficient for elections to proceed.

The ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement has also begun preparations to nominate candidates for national and state legislative seats and other positions ahead of the polls.

Ruto also said Kenya and South Sudan would continue opening opportunities for trade and investment and thanked Kiir for South Sudan’s participation in last week’s launch of the Dangote East Africa Refinery in Lamu.

With less than three months to the scheduled vote, Ruto’s call for consensus comes as South Sudan works to complete electoral preparations while addressing outstanding political and security concerns surrounding the December ballot.