Kiir ‘can’t talk about elections’ without national army

JUBA – South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit should not speak of national elections when the country does not have a professional national army, a local activist who is critical of President Kiir’s government has said.

This come after President Salva Kiir Mayardit said last month that the world’s youngest country will conduct its first-ever election, as a country, at the end of the transitional period in 2023.

Kiir in a speech to youth league of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) party urged the young people to prepare for elections promising new faces will take over the country following the elections.

However, activist Wani Michael of the Okay Africa civil society organization said it is difficult for South Sudan to conduct free and fair elections when the country does not have a professional national army.

“You can’t talk about Elections when you haven’t started the process of Permanent Constitution Making process. You can’t talk about Elections when you don’t have a National Army and other security organs to provide security during the electoral process,” Michael wrote on his Facebook page.

“You can’t talk about Elections when you’ve millions of refugees in the region. You can’t talk about Elections when People’s fundamental rights and freedoms aren’t respected and protected. Election is a process not an Event,” he added.

He said he “support regime change agenda because this regime got nothing to offer, I support nonviolent efforts to peacefully remove President Kiir dictatorial regime.”