South Sudan declared its intention to initiate the groundwork for parliamentary elections set for December, marking the nation’s inaugural electoral process since gaining independence.
Post the end of a civil war in 2018 and securing independence in 2011, the country was originally expected to conduct elections before February 2023.
However, due to an agreement between the transitional government and opposition factions, the elections were deferred to the latter part of 2024.
The National Elections Commission’s chairperson, Abednego Akok Kacuol, in a press briefing in Juba, the country’s capital, disclosed the deployment of officials nationwide and the acquisition of vehicles to facilitate movement.
Akok highlighted that the commission has received government funds to commence the electoral process and has developed a provisional schedule. Pending approval by involved parties, this plan includes starting voter registration in June.
Akok detailed, “We’ll begin the pre-election tasks with arrangements at the election headquarters in Juba, proceeding thereafter to the 10 states and three administrative areas.”
According to the United Nations, the upcoming general elections in December will cap off a transitional phase that succeeded a devastating civil war ignited by a political rift between President Salva Kiir and his former vice, Riek Machar, leading to nearly 400,000 deaths.
The revenues of South Sudan witnessed a significant decline due to the disruption of a crucial pipeline essential for the export of crude oil to international markets.
South Sudan’s Finance Minister, Ouw Daniel Chuang, informed journalists in Juba on Thursday that oil flows from several key fields have ceased, passing through the damaged pipeline located at the country’s northern border towards war-torn Sudan.
Chuang stated, “We are aware that the situation has worsened due to the crisis in Sudan. As you all know, South Sudan’s revenue is 90% or more dependent on oil, which is no longer flowing from some of the country’s vitally important fields.”
He added that he had sought financial assistance abroad, without specifying the country visited, explaining, “We have already started working with the Central Bank of Sudan to pay at least one month’s wages.”
