Government should demonstrate political will to implement outstanding peace tasks

The recent decision of the transitional unity government to extend the transition period, for another two years has disappointed key partners such as the United Nations and western donors.

The decision that didn’t surprise close watchers of political events in the country, was seen as a clear demonstration of total lack of political will from the signatory parties to the 2018 revitalized peace agreement.

This is the third consecutive time President Salva Kiir and his partners in the government are extending the transition period and elections.

An article written by celebrated media commentator and analyst, Charles Onyango Obbo on September 07 2024, in the East African titled “Here is why Kiir is better off stealing the next election than not holding it at all” clearly stated why the president would be the biggest beneficiary in any event that elections were held.

It argued that a bad election was better than not holding one at all, because it lays the foundation for a culture of democracy, which would later on birth a process of holding periodic elections that could meet international acceptable standards.

Now that South Sudanese and key development partners of South Sudan are still coming to terms with the delay of elections and extension of the transition period, the parties should work among themselves to build lost public confidence, and also jointly work to complete the necessary peace tasks to get it right at the fourth time of asking.