UNMISS supports for opening up of civic space in Aweil

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is supporting opening up civic space in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State.
Guang Cong, (R) UNMISS Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Political Affairs is received by Simon Ober Mawut, Governor of Northern Bahr El Ghazal State on Monday in Aweil town.

By Awan Achiek

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is supporting opening up civic space in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State.

This was demonstrated by the visit on Monday to Aweil of the UNMISS Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Political Affairs, Guang Cong. The visit aims to organize political parties’ forum to raise awareness on civic and political space in the state.

“As you know, the main purpose for this visit is concerning how we can support the state government and the state stakeholders to expand the civic political space,” Cong said during his meeting with the state governor in Aweil town.

He stressed the need to open civic space for politicians to freely engage the masses ahead of December 2026 elections.

“And, you know, it is extremely important because we are preparing now for the elections in 2026. And it is extremely important for all parties to work together to ensure that the political parties, civil societies can work without any fear of intimidation,” Guang said.

He said the forum also aims to unite political parties to enhance cooperation and collaboration in the implementation of the 2018 peace pact to pave ways for democratic, peaceful political transition in the country.

For his part, Simon Ober Mawut, Governor of Northern Bahr El Ghazal State, pledged to open up civic and political space to pave ways for democratic, peaceful political transition in the country.

“So I can assure you that the will is ready to go for elections even tomorrow. And we can go for elections even without observers. That is possible in our will. So it’s only that extension has already been made,” Mawut said.

 “We are just one state that is going to participate. We have a good number of voters in the state. We constitute roughly 16 percent of the total population of this country. Our issues are very few,” he said.

The three-day forum will bring together political leaders, partners and stakeholders to discuss the status of the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement, constitution making process, expanding civic and political space, and elections among others.

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