Machar unwilling to prepare for elections – Kiir

JUBA – South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit has alleged that the country’s opposition is unwilling to prepare for elections slated for end of the transitional period in 2023 saying he has been urging the people of South Sudan and the opposition in particular to prepare for elections.

The South Sudanese President made the remark during a meeting in Juba on Thursday with a high-level delegation of the United Nations Security Council in which President Kiir also requested that the Council lift the arms embargo which was imposed in 2018.

“President Salva Kiir Mayardit said he has been calling and urging the people and the parties to prepare for the elections and yet he is the President, but he hope and expects everyone to be ready for elections by 2023,” said a statement issued by the presidency following the meeting.

Kiir further said despite the slow pace of the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement, the parties is implementing the revitalized peace agreement as provided for in its provisions.

“President Salva Kiir Mayardit assured the delegation of United Nations Security Council that the agreement is being implemented though it is at a slow pace but the R-TGONU is determined to implement the peace agreement fully,” the presidency statement further said.

For its part, the UN delegation “commended H.E President Salva Kiir Mayardit for the steps he has taken towards the ongoing implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement.”

“They said achieving peace is a collective responsibility and they pledged to provide enormous support to the Government of South Sudan to attain peace and stability,” the statement added.