UN envoy confirms receipt of South Sudan request for electoral assistance

JUBA, JANUARY 27^th 2023 (SUDANS POST) – The head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Nicolas Haysom, has confirmed that he has received from the government a formal request for electoral assistance, days after the government urged the world mission to step in.

The government earlier this week wrote to the UN mission asking for electoral assistance as it begins to take preparatory steps for conduct of the elections slated for end of the transitional period by the revitalized peace agreement.

Speaking during the 26^th RJMEC meeting in Juba on Thursday, Haysom who is also the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) confirmed the receipt of the government request and stressed its significant.

“I can confirm that the United Nations received the formal invitation from the government to assist in the [election] process,” he said.

“This is significant because it authorizes the United Nations to advise and assists with best practice for the technical preparation for the elections. Let me reiterate that this will not be a UN-run process but a South Sudanese-administered election with UN support,” he added.

The UN diplomat called on the parties to the revitalized peace agreement to expedite the drafting of the permanent constitution which he said will provide a legal framework for conduct of what would be the country’s first elections since independence.

“The drafting of the new constitution is a crucial opportunity for South Sudanese to define what it means to be a South Sudanese. We want to support an inclusive process that gives a dignified voice to all South Sudanese but especially including IDPs, Refugees, women, youths, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized communities,” Haysom said.

“Importantly, the finalization of the legal framework and the reconstitution of the national elections commission, cannot be shelved until 2024. Not with the logistical challenges that preparation for elections in South Sudan will face”

Haysom went on to call on the government to fast-track the deployment of the unified forces.

“Strengthening and deployment of unified forces to better enable the protection of civilians from north to South of the country from east to west and to create a safe space for political and democratic debate,” Haysom said.

“I welcome phase one for the graduation and encourage the parties to familiarize formally for recanalization, proper equipment, and deployment of the necessary unified forces and the other requirements which will make such deployments possible,” he added.