South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
The parties to the 2018 revitalized peace agreement have confirmed the total lack of political will, by extending the transitional period for another two years without the popular consent of the people they purport to lead.
In February 2022, the parties gave the same reasons such as the delay in completing critical peace tasks before extending the transitional period.
The top leaders within the transition government have confirmed their deep mistrust and fear for elections, President Kiir joins Isaias Afewerki, the Eritrean President in the exclusive club of African leaders who have not been subjected to elections.
The two additional years have robbed the sovereign of their constitutional right to elect their own leaders, who would in turn be accountable to them.
The lack of a popular vote which would legitimize the current political establishment will mean business as usual. The firing and appointment of individuals by the powers that be will continue on a whim without popular public scrutiny.
South Sudan needed an election at this critical moment, be it a bad election or whatever form of vote to legitimize the current leadership at the regional and international stage.
Extending the transitional period and at the same time skipping the elections, means we are still a long way to sit on the table with some of our neighboring countries in the region.
