Machar renews call for full implementation of elections prerequisites

JUBA – South Sudan’s First Vice President Riek Machar has called on the signatories to the 2018 peace agreement to diligently implement the pending prerequisites necessary to prepare the country for peaceful, fair, democratic, and credible elections.

In a statement, Machar’s office emphasized the importance of adhering to the key provisions of the 2018 peace deal.

“The First Vice President of South Sudan, H.E Dr. Riek Machar Teny, has called on all parties signatory to the Revitalized Agreement to diligently implement the prerequisites outlined in the 2018 agreement,” the statement read.

Machar who is also the head of the main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO), a main signatory to the revitalized peace agreement, highlighted that these measures are crucial for ensuring the nation is adequately prepared to conduct peaceful and credible elections.

According to the statement, Machar made these remarks during a meeting with the Sudanese Ambassador to South Sudan, Isam Mohammed Hassan, in his office yesterday.

Machar, according to the statement, reiterated the importance of key prerequisites, including the security arrangements and the conduct of a population census.

“The necessity of key prerequisites, including the deployment of unified forces, the establishment of a permanent constitution-making process, and conducting a population census, among other commitments per the agreement,” he is quoted as saying.

Machar and the Sudanese ambassador also discussed border issues in a bid to foster peace and stability between the two countries and within the broader East African region.

The Sudanese diplomat for his part described the meeting as “fruitful”, noting that they covered various topics, including “political and economic” matters that impact both countries.

The discussion also “touched on the historical and social bonds between South Sudan and Sudan,” the statement added.

According to peace deal, South Sudan is expected to conduct its first democratic general elections as a sovereign state in December this year.

However, the lack of progress in implementing critical provisions of the agreement, which must be done before elections take place, has led to disagreements among the parties on whether elections should be held in 2023.