South Sudan: How Prepared Are We, Realistically, for General Elections in 2024?

South Sudan’s 2024 General Elections: Are We Truly Prepared?

By Ater Garang Ariath, Juba, South Sudan

Friday, 6 October 2023 (PW) – Sudan’s People Liberation Movement (SPLM) flag-bearer for the upcoming general elections, President Salva Kiir Mayardit, alongside his party’s Secretary General, Comrade Peter Lam Both, and other prominent party leaders, have voiced their commitment to conducting general elections in December 2024.

This is an admirable and crucial political endeavor undertaken by the founding party of our nation. It is incumbent upon our leaders to remain steadfast in their commitment, as the public has rallied behind their call to organize elections. Informed opinions suggest that the public is not only eager but also well-prepared to actively participate in the 2024 general elections, in line with the ARCSS roadmap.

The citizens anticipate their President and other stakeholders in the revitalized peace agreement to find common ground, particularly concerning the vital task of allowing citizens to choose their leaders in the upcoming elections. This choice will profoundly shape our nation’s future, shifting focus from prolonged transitions that yield little benefit.

The SPLM’s proposed preparation must evolve beyond political rhetoric, and South Sudanese voters must also prepare themselves rigorously, cultivating political awareness and resilience, avoiding being swayed by opportunistic politicians.

Political leaders across various levels of government must prioritize messages of peace and stability in their upcoming campaign platforms. The Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity, led by President Salva Kiir Mayardit and First Vice President Riek Machar Teny, should strongly invest in the National Election Commission (NEC) to ensure free, fair, and credible elections in the country.

Political leaders must adapt to be more responsive to their constituents’ needs and collaborate to find solutions that benefit the people. Both competing political parties must demonstrate flexibility and recognize that the fate of over 12 million South Sudanese citizens hangs in the balance.

Political rhetoric regarding elections should not rest solely on the shoulders of leaders. It is imperative to analyze recent political discourse between the two influential factions that have shaped our country’s politics to prevent a repeat of the 2013 catastrophe.

Our citizens yearn for a democratic political system characterized by civility and robustness, where leaders compete and coexist. This country belongs to all South Sudanese, and the power held by the SPLM belongs to them. They are not merely followers; they are also architects of their nation’s policies.

The populace has the right to express their opinions on the feasibility of the 2024 elections and exercise their choices during the forthcoming elections. The recent rhetoric exchanged between the SPLM and SPLM-IO leaders is a ticking time bomb that demands resolution.

In democratic societies, the government and the people must reach a consensus on significant matters, and general elections are of paramount importance. Civil society organizations and established democratic institutions must ensure full citizen engagement in election consultations, rather than relying on power-driven political parties.

We must seek solutions locally, as South Sudanese intellectuals should rally the masses for the right political cause, countering escalating political confrontation and polarization within the country.

The South Sudanese electorate must act as mediators between politically conflicted factions. A breakthrough in the political deadlock between President Salva Kiir Mayardit and First Vice President Riek Machar Teny can only come from the South Sudanese people, not external powers.

SPLM and SPLM-IO leaders must feel the pressure to make a choice between holding elections or taking decisive actions to avert another devastating conflict. This challenge is for all members and supporters of different political parties within the revitalized peace agreement.

Patriotic South Sudanese citizens have a grave responsibility to explore every avenue for peaceful general elections. Our leaders must align their actions with their words, as the ordinary citizens of South Sudan fervently call for these elections. Leaders should earnestly discuss and resolve the obstacles and impediments in the path to ensure that elections can proceed.

It is imperative for political forces and security institutions in the country to hold political symposiums urgently before preparing for the scheduled general elections next year. The future of a democratic South Sudan rests entirely on political forces governed by relevant laws. We, as citizens, should gauge the intentions of other political entities regarding elections, fostering a meaningful debate to prevent a destructive power struggle.

This is our only hope to avoid a resurgence of violence when the revitalized transitional government of national unity concludes its term, similar to the events of 2013. Regional parties should facilitate dialogue and bring all political parties together to prepare for next year’s general election.

In conclusion, all political parties signatories to the revitalized peace agreement must commit themselves to facilitate democratic processes as demanded by the diverse South Sudanese population.

The writer, a South Sudanese journalist and former Secretary General of Defunct Aweil East State, resides in Juba, Republic of South Sudan, and can be contacted at atergarang452@gmail.com.

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