![South Sudan minister of presidential affairs Joseph Bakasoro. [Photo via The City Review]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Bakasoro.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&quality=89&ssl=1)
JUBA — South Sudan’s minister of presidential affairs Bangasi Joseph Bakasoro has dismissed any intentions to prolong the current transitional government beyond the outlined roadmap.
Speaking at a civil society forum in Juba on Tuesday, Bakasoro, a close ally of Kiir, highlighted the mounting pressure on South Sudanese political leaders to make decisive choices regarding impending general elections.
“The United Nations said no extension, the Troika said no extension, the European Union said no extension, and the IGAD said no extension. Then who are you or me to say there must be an extension again? We don’t want it,” Bakasoro asserted.
He further revealed that parties to the 2018 peace agreement are preparing for dialogues and discussions to chart the course regarding the forthcoming elections.
He urged civil society participation in deliberations to guide political leaders effectively.
The transitional period, originally set to conclude in 2022, was extended to December 2024 due to stalled progress on key provisions of the 2018 peace agreement, which marked the end of a bloody five-year civil war.
As South Sudan anticipates its inaugural elections, concerns persist regarding the absence of requisite conditions for ensuring free, fair, secure, and credible elections.
