SPLM-IO says rival Kiir’s party making attempts to subvert elections

JUBA, SEPTEMBER 18, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – South Sudan’s main armed opposition SPLM-IO on Monday accused the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) under President Salva Kiir of trying to conduct unfair and undemocratic elections in the country.

This is after lawmakers representing the group in the transitional parliament walked out to boycott the last reading of the National Elections Act 2012 (Amendment Bill 2023) which was eventually passed in their absence by the majority MPs from SPLM-IG and other parties.

The speaker of parliament had introduced a section in the bill which states that the president shall appoint 5 percent of the lawmakers after elections. The SPLM-IO said in a statement that the provision is a violation of the revitalized peace agreement.

“The decision by the SPLM IG and Allies is contrary to the provision of the Revitalized Agreement, Article 1.2.13 which states that the National Election Commission shall conduct free, fair and credible elections before the end of the Transitional Period and shall ensure the outcome reflects the will of the electorates,” the SPLM-IO said.

The group said that it “Condemns in the strongest terms possible attempts by the SPLM-IG and its allies to make the process and the conduct of the National elections in South Sudan, undemocratic, unfair and not credible.”

“The proposal that the President be given extra powers to appoint additional number of the members of the Parliament takes away the mandate and sovereignty of the People of the Republic of South Sudan. (Art. 2. TCRSS 2011 (as Amended),” it added.

The statement said that the group is “concerned of the unfair procedure and the manner the Rt. Hon. Speaker, Jemma Nunu Kumba conducted the sitting by not maintaining the order and decorum of the house to balance participation in the deliberation by the members of the august House.”

“By denying members of SPLM-IO and other Political parties’ fair chance to express their views on this critical matter. Moreover, the Rt. Hon speaker decided to proceed without consensus and decided to usher the house into voting despite the lack of consensus on the matter,” it added.