By UNITED NATIONS – South Sudan is facing significant hurdles in its path to holding its first-ever post-independence elections in December 2024, according to the United Nations’ top envoy for the country. Nicholas Haysom, speaking to the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday, emphasized that the ongoing political consultations have made it difficult to treat the National Elections Commission’s recently announced date of December 22 as a fixed timeline.
Haysom described the December 22 election date as “a definitive trigger in isolation from other critical factors,” underscoring that political consensus has yet to be reached among South Sudan’s leadership. Political players are engaged in discussions about whether the vote can or should be held this year, with numerous obstacles still looming.
“South Sudan is simply not ready to hold its first post-independence elections in December,” Haysom warned. The vote, meant to be the culmination of a peace agreement signed in 2018, is intended to help South Sudan transition from years of civil war, driven largely by ethnic divisions, to a more stable political environment. However, the challenges remain daunting.
South Sudan, which became the world’s youngest nation after gaining independence from Sudan in 2011, has since been mired in conflict. The war, fought between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and those supporting Vice President Riek Machar, has claimed the lives of around 400,000 people. The conflict has devastated the country, and peace remains fragile despite the peace agreement signed five years ago.
“The election is meant to help pull South Sudan out of a civil war, but the ongoing fighting and political fragmentation make it increasingly unlikely that elections can be held as planned,” Haysom told the Security Council.
Despite the grim outlook, there have been some positive developments. The National Elections Commission has begun the groundwork necessary for elections, including assessing “the ground-level infrastructure and facilities required for a conducive environment for conducting elections.” So far, 29 political parties have successfully registered to participate in the upcoming elections.
The UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan remains committed to supporting the creation of an environment conducive to holding elections whenever they are deemed feasible. “The U.N. peacekeeping mission continues to support the creation of an enabling environment for elections in South Sudan whenever they are held,” Haysom added, stressing that the mission remains focused on protecting civilians and ensuring their safety in the run-up to the vote.
However, Haysom also raised concerns about the deteriorating political environment in the country. Widespread reports of civil society repression, including crackdowns on political activists, journalists, and members of the Human Rights Commission, have cast a shadow over the country’s preparations for elections. There are also concerns that a recently passed security law gives South Sudan’s National Security Service the authority to arrest individuals without a warrant, raising alarm among human rights groups and the international community.
While the country’s National Elections Commission continues to plan for December, the road ahead remains uncertain. For now, the fate of South Sudan’s first post-independence elections hangs in the balance as political instability and logistical challenges continue to threaten the country’s fragile peace.
APnews report
