JUBA – A senior South Sudan government official has said that his country is ready to conduct general elections by the end of the transitional period in 2022 as provided for in the revitalized peace agreement.
The 2018 peace deal which in February resulted in the formation of the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGONU) provides for elections after a 36-month transitional period ending in May 2022.
It however remains unclear if the current slow pace of implementation of the peace deal will change as many provisions, which are even supposed to be implemented during the interim period, have remained behind schedule.
Speaking to Radio Miraya on Monday, Martin Elia Lomoro, South Sudan’s cabinet minister, said the world’s youngest country will definitely go for elections at the end of the transitional period in 2022.
Lomoro who is under United States sanctions list for undermining peace process said “partners are putting in efforts to implement some of the remaining provisions leading to the elections.”
He further emphasized that “the peace agreement is generally holding despite some pockets of insecurity in some parts of the country.”