President Kiir Assents Historic Elections Bill into Law, Names Hon. Angelina Teny as Interior Minister – A Pivotal Moment for South Sudan!
President Kiir assent election Bill into law
President Kiir assents the elections bill, the amended National Elections Act 2023, into law, paving the way for general elections in December 2024.
By PaanLuel Wël Media Ltd
Juba, Wednesday, 27 September 2023 (PW) — In a significant move for South Sudan’s political landscape, President Kiir officially signed the National Elections Act, 2012 (Amendment) Act, 2023 into law on Tuesday, September 26th, 2023, marking a crucial step toward the scheduled general elections in December 2024. This pivotal development underscores the country’s commitment to the Revitalized peace agreement and the democratic process.
The signing of the elections bill was met with applause from various quarters, with Rt. Hon. Jemma Nunu Kumba, the Speaker of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly, emphasizing its importance in facilitating the election preparations. She reiterated that the nation was now primed to embark on the necessary groundwork to enable political parties to conduct their elections smoothly.
This announcement comes in the wake of President Kiir’s appointment of Hon. Angelina Teny, the wife of Dr. Riek Machar and former defense minister, as the new interior minister. This appointment appears to signal a degree of cooperation between the government and the SPLM-IO, which had previously opposed Angelina Teny’s dismissal from her role as defense minister.
One notable amendment introduced by the National Elections Act (Amendment) Bill 2023 is the apparent reduction of the number of Members of Parliament (MPs) from the current 550 to 250. This change has raised concerns about potential job losses for 300 politicians, but it is a necessary step to streamline the country’s legislative body.
However, a contentious issue looms on the horizon, as the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) has challenged the requirement for a permanent constitution before the 2024 elections. The 2018 peace accord stipulated that a permanent constitution should be in place before the elections at the end of the transitional period. Nonetheless, the SPLM Secretary-General Peter Lam argued that a permanent constitution is not a prerequisite for holding elections. He stressed that census and refugee return should not be barriers to the electoral process.
The differing opinions on this matter have led to a divergence of views within the political landscape. Dr. Riek Machar, the main opposition leader of SPLM-IO, insists that full implementation of the revitalized Peace Agreement, including security arrangements, is necessary for a successful election. In contrast, President Kiir firmly states that there will be no extension of the agreement and calls for moving forward with the elections in 2024.
President Kiir’s stance aligns with that of Professor Abednego Akok Kacuol, the Chairman of South Sudan’s National Elections Commission (NEC), who maintains that general elections can proceed without a national census and new constituency demarcations. According to Akok, the elections can be carried out using the existing constituency boundaries and voter registration can begin promptly.
The Chairman of South Sudan’s National Elections Commission (NEC), Professor Abednego Akok, outlined the NEC’s preparations for the upcoming elections, highlighting the importance of the National Elections Act’s timely passage and the establishment of the Elections Commission. He emphasized the need for civic education and voter registration, which could take up to six months before final voter lists are compiled.
Addressing concerns about the lack of a national census and constituency boundary redrawing, Chairman Akok remained resolute that these factors would not hinder the election process. He argued that South Sudan already has the foundation of old constituencies used in the current parliament’s formation.
Despite varying opinions and potential obstacles, the stage is set for South Sudan’s journey toward the scheduled December 2024 elections. The nation faces the challenge of balancing the demands of security, political agreement implementation, and logistical preparedness to ensure that the democratic process remains on track.
As South Sudan navigates these complexities, the coming months will be pivotal in determining whether the country can hold free, fair, and transparent elections to shape its future. Chairman Akok stressed that the elections must be conducted fairly and transparently to restore the country’s international reputation and pave the way for a democratic future.
In this evolving political landscape, the eyes of South Sudan and the international community will remain focused on the nation’s progress toward the crucial 2024 elections.
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