![UNMISS head Nicholas Haysom meets President Salva Kiir [PPU photo]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Kiir-Haysom.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&quality=89&ssl=1)
JUBA — South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Wednesday to discuss preparatory efforts for the upcoming general elections with the Special Representative of UN Secretary-General, Nicholas Haysom.
The meeting held at the State House in Juba discussed the way forward for general elections scheduled for December 2026.
A statement from the presidency said “The meeting also revolved around the mergers of the ongoing Tumaini peace initiative aimed at fostering a stable and prosperous South Sudan.”
It said Haysom who doubles as head of the U.N. Mission in South Sudan “Commended South Sudan’s role as a mediator in the ongoing Sudan conflict, recognizing the country’s efforts in providing refuge and support to displaced individuals and returnees from Sudan.”
Haysom further reiterated UN’s commitment to assist South Sudan in its journey towards lasting peace and democratic governance.
Troika countries of U.S. UK, Norway issued a statement on Wednesday calling on the parties to the 2018 peace deal to agree on the procedures for conducting peaceful elections and the timeline.
“Troika partners agreed that a credible timetable of election preparations should be published by the government as a priority,” Troika said in a statement issued on Wednesday.
The powerful western countries also called on the government to commence voter registration as an essential first step.
“We further committed to collaborate on engagement with International Financial Institutions, to make it clear that the government must urgently undertake to manage public finances responsibly, transparently and to ensure accountability for the funding of essential services and other institutions,” it said.
The Troika called on the government to end impunity for human rights violations in the country in a bid to restore peace.
“And we will continue to call for removal of the recent amendments to the NSS Act, which authorize warrant-free detentions and arrests, and other measures which restrict civil and political space.”
