The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (R-JMEC) has warned that the dream of holding general elections will remain a mirage for as long as there is no plan to fast-track the permanent constitution and other key pending tasks necessary for the exercise.
In a statement issued Tuesday, the peace monitoring body said outstanding peace provisions, which entail security arrangements, the Special Reconstruction Fund, repatriation of refugees and IDPs, and several key pieces of legislation, should be implemented.
The R-JMEC pointed out that the critical pending reforms provided for by the Revitalised Peace Agreement, including public financial management reforms, and transitional justice and reconciliation, which have largely been undone, should be implemented ahead of the 2023 poll.
“The Permanent Constitution process must be fast-tracked, as this is a prerequisite for the conduct of elections at the end of the Transitional Period. The new constitution represents democratization, the rule of law, and a stable South Sudan,” they said in a statement on Tuesday.
Furthermore, security is the foundation upon which the country’s future is built. The RTGoNU should make dedicated financial resources available for the completion of the much-delayed Transitional Security Arrangements, especially the graduation and redeployment of the unified forces. “
The commission urged parties to make a clear plan of action to address the current dire humanitarian situation and the facilitation of voluntary returns of IDPs and repatriation of refugees needed ahead of elections.
Again, parties have to ensure specific reforms needed for the conduct of credible, free, and fair elections at the end of a transitional period are in place.
“Next, RJMEC urges the establishment of the transitional justice mechanisms, especially the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation, and Healing, and the Hybrid Court for South Sudan without further delay.”
“Accountability and justice are important building blocks for peace and reconciliation, and these mechanisms are a cornerstone in building accountability and the rule of law for the Republic of South Sudan,’’ it further stated.
The statement came a day after the main opposition, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) of Dr. Riek Machar, set a condition on Monday for the conduct of the general election in 2023.
The SPLM-IO party said they were ready for the exercise should all the outstanding tasks for the assurance of creditable, fair, and transparent elections in South Sudan be fully implemented.
Besides, Puok Both Baluang, the Director for Information and Public Relations who double as Dr. Machar’s Acting Press Secretary, pointed out that the current political parties in South Sudan are illegal to participate in elections till a pending political act bill has been passed into law.
“The permanent constitution, the repatriation of the refugees, and the security arrangements must be in place,” Baluang said. “We should focus first on the implementation of the peace agreement in letter and spirit and make sure that all the services I mentioned are there.”
He added, “We are not only talking about the graduation of forces, but we are also talking about creating a conducive environment for the people, and security must be in place for the people, as well as allowing the people to express themselves, and there must be freedom of participation, freedom of speech, and so forth.”
Some activists, members of Parliament, and the international community have also warned of electoral violence should parties hold general elections at the end of the transitional period in 2023.
Recently, the ruling party, the Sudan People’s Liberating Movement in IG (SPLM-IG), has embarked on preparations in some parts of the country, calling for the conduction of elections without full implementation of the outstanding tasks.