Gov’t Vows to Secure December Elections, Protect Voters

By Awan Achiek

The government has pledged to protect citizens, maintain public order, and safeguard the electoral process as South Sudan prepares for general elections scheduled for December this year.

Ambassador Cecilia Adut Manyok Adeng, South Sudan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Newly appointed caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs, made this commitment while addressing the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York on Monday night.

“The government bears the primary responsibility for protecting its citizens, maintaining public order, and safeguarding the electoral process,” Amb. Adeng stated.

Adeng also pledged that the country would resolve political competition through democratic means rather than armed confrontation.

“The ballot must replace the bullets. South Sudan recognizes that conducting peaceful elections requires security and strong institutions.”

She urged the people of South Sudan to use the ballot to shape their political future and guide the country toward democratic governance.

“President Kiir’s vision is to create conditions in which the world can once again see the people of South Sudan for who they truly are,” she said.

“A resilient people who struggled for freedom, voted peacefully for independence, and continue to aspire for peace, dignity, democracy, and prosperity.”

She emphasized President Salva Kiir Mayardit’s clear commitment throughout the transitional period: he would never return South Sudan to war.

“South Sudan must not return to war. Political disagreement must be addressed through dialogue. Political competition must never again become armed confrontation.”

Adeng also called for continued engagement with the UN Security Council regarding restrictive measures imposed on South Sudan, including the arms embargo.

“South Sudan therefore continues to call for constructive engagement with the Security Council concerning restrictive measures, including the arms embargo. South Sudan’s objective is not militarization,” she said.

She argued that sanctions should serve clearly defined objectives linked to peace and should not become permanent substitutes for political engagement and institution building.

“South Sudan believes that accountability and national capacity should reinforce each other. We therefore call for the lifting of all restrictive measures. Sanctions must be instruments for achieving clear, defined objectives.”

Adeng expressed appreciation for the contribution of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and paid tribute to peacekeepers who have lost their lives while serving in the country.

“We recognize the men and women who served under the United Nations flag, particularly those who have lost their lives in the service of peace.”

She called for greater investment in national institutions, including the police, judiciary, education, and healthcare sectors.

She also appealed to international partners and investors to look beyond South Sudan’s conflict and humanitarian challenges and consider the country’s potential.