-       Excellencies 

-       Honourable Members of Parliament 

-       Distinguished Guests 

-       Ladies and Gentlemen

1.    Good morning. I would like to thank the organisers of this event for putting together this workshop at this timely moment. I also wish to commend the Parties for their attendance and their continued commitment to the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement.

2.    The Political Parties Forum is an important framework to enhance political space for members of political parties to build trust, share information, reconnect, negotiate political issues, and promote political space for all political actors. RJMEC has had the opportunity to participate in several of these forums at national and state level and can attest to their positive impact.

3.    I am aware that during this year, these forums have provided Parties with the opportunity to dialogue on several issues in support of the implementation of the R-ARCSS. These discussions have included among others the status of implementation of the Roadmap, electoral timelines and processes, the roles of political parties in the democratic transition, the expansion of the political and civic space, the creation of a level playing field for all parties in the election process, and the development of strategies to further trust and confidence building between political parties. This is indeed commendable. 

4.    Therefore, it is important to understand that political parties are essential for democracies to function, as well as for the promotion of peace and stability and the prevention of violent conflict. Their functions, representation, interest aggregation and articulation, recruitment of electoral candidates and the formation of government, cannot be duplicated by any other civil society or private organization.

5.    Democratization is always a politically contentious process, and this is particularly true in volatile post-conflict settings. Without strong political and state institutions, components of democratization such as elections and political party competition can raise tensions or, in extreme cases, lead to renewed conflict. Therefore, it is essential to support inclusive multi-party dialogues in order to help parties to overcome mistrust and suspicion, which often obstruct pragmatic dialogue on national political concerns.  

6.    A multiparty system cannot function effectively in a country emerging from a post conflict situation, when there is no willingness to discuss divergent views, where trust is eroded and no one party is willing to seek consensus and mutual understanding. However, political parties’ development and multiparty dialogues are necessary steps towards the creation of stable, democratic political systems that can be conducive to development, the protection of human rights, conflict prevention and resolution of conflict.

7.    The stability and effectiveness of a political party system is not only determined by its legal framework, but by the checks and balances within the system, and the parties’ organization and general democratic practices within the party. The stability and effectiveness of political parties hinge upon the existence of mechanisms for parties to engage in interparty dialogue and cooperation, especially in a post conflict situation.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,  

8.    According to the Revitalised Agreement, elections are due to take place about one year from now in December 2024 and 60 days prior to the end of the Transitional Period. The Agreement requires that the elections birth a democratically elected government and should be free, fair, credible and reflect the will of the electorate. Credible elections and election processes are therefore a vital corner stone in the laying of the foundation for a united, peaceful and prosperous South Sudan.

9.    The Revitalized Agreement prohibits the Parties to the Agreement from committing certain acts by the Permanent Ceasefire during the Transitional Period which includes the electoral period. Actions such as engaging in hostile propaganda or hate speech including social media to foment ethnic or secretion hatred are prohibited. Violent actions such as attacking the civilian population, sexual and gender-based violence are also strictly prohibited. Parties are also required to take specific positive measures such as protection of the media, civil society and the most vulnerable population in the Transitional Period. The Revitalized Agreement requires the Parties to ensure accountability against their own members in the event of any such breaches. 

It is important for the parties to consider drawing lessons from the experience of the Permanent Ceasefire, of which we have so far achieved in terms of continued observance, on the one hand and making all effort to ensure safety and credibility of elections that is nonviolent.  

10.    Furthermore, the National Elections Act provides that the National Election Commission should develop legally binding codes of conduct for persons who wish to participate in elections such as candidates, parties and others. It is therefore important for South Sudan to consider drawing up such rules that circumscribe acceptable and unacceptable conduct of those who participate in elections so that they can be free, fair and credible. 

11.    In addition, the African Union Peace and Security Council, at its 1186th Meeting held 16thNovember 2023 in Addis Ababa Ethiopia, through its Communique, urged the parties to negotiate a code of conduct and sign it with full authority to commit themselves to fairness, respect, accountability and acceptability to South Sudan regardless of appointments or results of the elections. 

12.    With this in mind, I therefore urge the parties to robustly engage with each other bearing in mind that a broad, inclusive dialogue among all political parties helps to build relationships based on trust, democratic tolerance and transparency and facilitates the exchange of good practices.  This constructive dialogue can help build consensus on practical steps that can be taken to secure the electoral environment for the country and ensure attainment of necessary milestones including the timely conduct of elections. 

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,  

13.    This September 2023 marked five years since the Revitalised Peace Agreement was signed in September 2018. South Sudan has now experienced the longest period of peace and stability since its independence in 2011. This is a commendable achievement for which I congratulate the Parties and the people of South Sudan. Clearly the theme of this convening being “Uniting for a Peaceful Political Transition and Elections in South Sudan” is quite appropriate considering where we are, in the implementation process. I commend the organizers for choosing this theme and wish you all fruitful deliberations.

14.    I wish you good tidings for the holidays, a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.

I Thank You.