JUBA – South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir and the head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Nicholas Haysom on Friday met to discuss the way forward for general elections scheduled for December 2024.
The meeting, a statement from the presidency noted, focused on the importance of free and fair elections in promoting democracy and stability in the region.
During the meeting, Kiir “emphasized the significance of elections in determining the future of the country and underlined the need for all stakeholders to cooperate in ensuring a smooth and transparent electoral process.”
Haysom commended Kiir for his commitment to upholding democratic values to ensure elections are conducted in a free and fair manner.
“We underscore that election in South Sudan is a sovereign right of the country and its people, and we have taken note that there is considerable evidence that people want to see elections taking place,” he stated.
The Special Representative of the Secretary General urged political parties to continue their dialogue and work towards a consensus on the electoral process.
He appealed to the parties to prioritize the interests of the people and the country over their political agendas.
The UN chief reiterated the readiness to support the democratic process in the country and expressed confidence that with collective efforts of all parties, the December 2024 deadline for the elections can be successfully met.