![Head of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) Nicholas Haysom speaking during the opening session of the 5th Governors' Forum in Juba on Tuesday, November 23, 2021. [Photo by Awan Achiek/Sudans Post]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/260249248_421703889528517_3905501838567962543_n.jpg?resize=1024%2C590&quality=89&ssl=1)
Addressing the UN Security Council on Thursday, Haysom warned that time is running out to resolve critical issues before the 2024 elections.
“With only 13 months until elections in December 2024, time is of the essence,” Haysom declared. “Despite these modest gains, the timelines set out in the Roadmap are behind schedule.”
Haysom urged the parties to the peace agreement to prioritize consensus and compromise on key issues, such as the type and scale of the elections and the constitution-making process.
He emphasized the need for operationalizing and resourcing the newly established elections-related commissions.
“The electoral architecture beginning to take shape, technical, legal, and operational decisions are urgently required to enable the elections to take place as scheduled,” Haysom asserted. “Together, we continue to leverage our comparative advantages to provide technical assistance to these critical processes and urge consensus and practical compromises where timelines have already lapsed.”
The UN envoy also highlighted the security concerns in South Sudan, including the recent military defections and the lack of progress in finalizing the Transitional Security Arrangements.
He stressed the importance of a unified security apparatus for the country’s stability and peace.
“A country should have a single and unified security apparatus,” Haysom reiterated. “Hence, the inability of the Transitional Government of National Unity to finalize the Transitional Security Arrangements remains an overarching concern.”
Haysom further called for collective action from the international community to support South Sudan’s transition to peace and elections.
He urged the parties to engage in meaningful dialogue and find solutions to the challenges hindering the implementation of the peace agreement.
