UN envoy urges leaders to take urgent action to tackle key election obstacles

JUBA – The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Nicholas Haysom on Tuesday called on South Sudan’s leadership to take urgent action to address key obstacles for the conduct of elections in December 2024.

Addressing reporters at a press conference held in Juba, the Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Haysom said it is possible to hold an election in December if key obstacles are overcome.

“UNMISS’s view has always been that elections can’t be held in December but only if the country takes urgent action to overcome key obstacles,” Haysom said.

Haysom said decisions are needed on the type of elections to be held and consensus must be reached on a realistic electoral calendar.

“As we pause here, decisions are needed on the type of elections to be held and consensus must be reached on a realistic electoral calendar taking into account operational, logistical, legal and security issues,” said Haysom

The U.N., envoy to South Sudan said the country can choose a path that gives people the opportunity to participate in peaceful and credible elections.

“My previous remarks regarding the capacity of the country to host elections related directly to the conditions within applicable and failure to properly step up the institutions which are necessary and which we now see been established.”

He said around 90 per cent of the country’s population is ready to vote during the upcoming December 2024 elections.

“There are strong indications that South Sudanese want elections, around 90 per cent of people interviewed in UNMISS perceptions survey says elections are important to them and they intend to vote, civil society and academic are also advocating for this outcome.”

He stressed the need to finalise transitional security arrangements and electoral security plan must be agreed and necessary unified forces deployed to provide a secure environment

“Intervention is needed at the highest level to resolve tension in Northern Unity State between SSPDF and SPLA-IO as well as inter-communal violence in some parts of the country.”