UN ready to support transition process in South Sudan: Haysom

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September 18, 2024 (JUBA) – The Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Nicholas Haysom said the United Nations stands ready to support the transitional process in South Sudan.

Haysom who was addressing the Revitalized Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) Extraordinary Plenary said the support would be done in collaboration with its partners like the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the African Union (AU).

He, however, said the UN remains disappointed at it endorses the transitional period extension.

“It is sadly evident that the country is not ready for elections that we could confidently expect to generate a credible and peaceful outcome, thereby necessitating this extension proposal consideration,” said Haysom.

According to the head of the UN mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), a similar process was supported two years ago with the hope there would be no more extension of the transition period.

He called on the parties to commit and to take urgent steps together to conduct these elections, saying the peaceful conduct of credible elections would ensure peace and stability in the country.

“I emphasize that the Transitional Government and the South Sudanese political class must take responsibility for the failures of the past two years,” Haysom stated.

According to the UNMISS head, South Sudan’s leaders must prioritize the interests of the nation; rebuild public trust and confidence; open up necessary political and civic space; engage and accommodate all voices and viewpoints, including non-signatory parties in the Tumaini Initiative.

Once achieved, it will pave the way towards an inclusive and sustainable peace in South Sudan.

Last week, South Sudan’s parties to the 2018 peace agreement extended the current transitional period by another two years. The extension implies election initially scheduled for December 22, 2024 will not take place.

In August 2022, peace parties signed a two-year extension of the transitional government, citing the need to implement critical tasks in the 2018 peace agreement.

The move to extend the transitional period has drawn mixed reactions from citizens, with many expressing disappointment at the way the leaders are running the country.