Opposition leader slams parties afraid of 2024 general election

Leader of the umbrella of political parties Peter Mayen Majongdit [Photo: Courtesy]

By Benjamin Takpiny

The leader of the umbrella of political parties Peter Mayen Majongdit has criticized opposition parties afraid of participating in the upcoming general election in 2024, saying they have not laid the groundwork for the polls.

“If other parties are not prepared for the election, it does not mean that the country is not ready for election. No more war, no more extension at the expense of citizens, we as umbrella of political parties are ready for elections and we have already restructured our leaderships and prepared  for the upcoming election” Majongdit told the Dawn in an interview in Juba on Thursday.

His remarks come as the transitional unity government prepares to hold elections at the end of the current transitional period in December.

Majongdit said that political parties that are not supportive of elections have not made necessary in house preparations to contest for power.

“The preparation begins with individuals; lack of preparation of the parties has nothing to do with the will of South Sudanese citizens to have an elected government,” he said.

President Salva Kiir has already reconstituted the National Election Commission (NEC) charged with managing the election.

Majongdit said that there is nothing difficult if there is political will in the country, adding that the provisions of the revitalized peace agreement which are not implemented can be implemented in a shorter time if all the peace partners agree on them.

He said that there is no country without a constitution, the current Transitional Constitution of South Sudan could be amended and people go for elections, adding that the elected government will give enough space to make a permanent constitution.

“Every country has a constitution either transitional or permanent constitutions, the next elected government will give space and time to people to debate on their permanent constitution, we want to end the transitions, there are things to be amended in the constitution, the elected government will have mandate to the people not to the peace agreement,” Majongdit said.