![Former Northern Bahr el Ghazal state governor Kuel Aguer Kuel speaks to the media following his release on December 9, 2022. [Photo by Sudans Post]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Kuel-Aguer.png?resize=850%2C445&ssl=1)
Kuel, a vocal civil rights activist who was detained for more than 17 months on politically motivated charges (from July 2021 to December 2022), made the call during an exclusive interview with Sudans Post on Friday. It was his first interview since his release from detention.
“I would tell them, ‘Please, you have exhausted your chance during the revitalized agreement,’” he said when asked of any message to President Kiir and First Vice President Machar.
The renowned activist proposed a six-year transitional period to organize the country’s security forces, which he believes has not been addressed during the current transitional period outlined in the 2018 peace agreement.
He called for the departure of those he believes are “holding South Sudan hostage” to pave the way for free, fair, and credible elections.
“The interim period should be at least six years so that the army is organized, the national security is reintegrated, and we have stability and the refugees are returned and then those who are holding South Sudan hostage should get out of the system so that the people of South Sudan can now go for free, fair and credible election to choose their leaders, not leaders who are put on them and say you have to vote for this,” Kuel stated.
Kuel advocated for a technocratic government comprising only 21 ministers, with a presidency of three individuals elected by regional constitutional conferences representing Greater Equatoria, Greater Bahr el Ghazal, and Greater Upper Nile regions.
He then proposed limited responsibilities for the presidency, focusing primarily on supremacy, foreign affairs, and defense.
“The interim period should be based on the following. First of all, there should be a presidency of which there should be three people, one from each region, and that person should be elected within the regional conference, like what happened in National Dialogue,” he said.
“Those three people (the presidency) will form what we call the head of state, and they should only have limited responsibilities, supremacy, foreign affairs, and then the defense. This should be their responsibility,” he explained.
Kuel proposed a parliament of 221 members selected by the regional conferences, with each of the ten states contributing twenty (20) representatives, and seven (7) representatives for each of the three administrative areas. This arrangement, he said, ensures technocratic representation and allows parties to prepare for elections.
“Any constituency that is going to be done should be like what happened during the CPA. Each region is supposed to come with representatives, at least twenty members from each state, and then in the administrative area we are supposed to have seven each. So that we have 221 and that should be constituency assembly,” he proposed.
Kuel suggested activities such as the return of refugees and comprehensive preparations for elections. He stressed the importance of allowing the people of South Sudan to choose their own interim government to stabilize the situation and ensure fair elections.
“This is my opinion. People think it is difficult, but it is not difficult… Now let the people of South Sudan choose their own interim government so that they can make the situation stable, and they will be able to go for fair elections,” he stressed.
South Sudan gained independence in July 2011 but descended into civil war just after its second birthday. The warring leaders, Kiir and Machar, signed a revitalized peace agreement in 2018, but its implementation remains sluggish.
Elections are scheduled for December 2024, but whether the country is ready remains a contentious issue. Kiir insists on elections, while Machar demands full implementation of the agreement before polls.
