Watchdog: 60% of South Sudan’s political elite fear election outcome

JUBA – A South Sudanese watchdog group says at least 60% of the country’s political elite are apprehensive about the outcome of elections scheduled for December, raising concerns about potential delays in creating a favorable environment for the polls.

The Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) based its findings on an opinion tracking initiative targeting influential political leaders. The watchdog released the results Friday.

CEPO found a significant difference between the leaders’ public and private declarations on elections.

“CEPO recently tracked statements by influential political figures in the national government. The majority of their private statements do not support the timely conduct of elections, despite public pronouncements to the contrary,” the statement said.

“This inconsistency undermines the creation of a conducive environment for free, fair, credible, and peaceful elections,” it added. The statement was signed by CEPO Executive Director Edmund Yakani.

CEPO said political leaders are reluctant to make crucial decisions that would facilitate timely and fair elections, such as funding the peace agreement and expanding civic and political spaces.

Yakani emphasized the negative impact these delays have on the election process.

“It is true that citizens want free, fair, credible, and peaceful elections,” Yakani said. “However, political leaders responsible for creating a conducive environment for these elections are fearful of making timely decisions.”

CEPO urged citizens to actively engage in civic matters and demand unrestricted civic and political spaces, stressing their importance for a democratic and well-governed society.