H.E. Gen Kuol Manyang Juuk, Senior Presidential Advisor and Chairperson of NTC;

H.E. Ambassador Chol Mawut, Minister of Presidential Affairs;

Hon. Dr Martin Elia Lomuro, Minister of Cabinet Affairs;

Professor Abednego Akok Kacuol, Chairperson of the NEC;

Hon. General Augustino Jadalla Wani, Governor of Central Equatoria State;

H.E. Nicholas Haysom, UNMISS SRSG;

H.E. Prof. Ambassador Joram Biswaro, SRCC and Head of the African Union Mission in South Sudan;

H.E. Michael Adler, US Ambassador;

Gathered Dignitaries;

Ladies and Gentlemen;

Good afternoon!

1.   It is my pleasure and honour to say a few words at such an auspicious occasion as this one. The opening of the office of the National Elections Commission State High Elections Committee for Central Equatoria is an important milestone for which I commend the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity and the National Elections Commission.

2.   We are no doubt all aware that Article 1.2.13 of the Revitalised Peace Agreement provides for the reconstitution of “a competent and independent National Elections Commission to conduct free, fair and credible elections before the end of the Transitional Period and ensure that the outcome reflects the will of the electorate.” Accordingly, it is gratifying to know that the State High Committees have been appointed and are operational, and that necessary concrete steps, including institutional strengthening and capacity building of its personnel, among others, are being undertaken to prepare for free, fair and inclusive elections.

3.   The State High Committee is mandated to administer and supervise elections at state level. As such, a wide range of technical tasks must take place for free, fair and inclusive elections to be held, including recommending polling station locations, distribution of electoral material at state level, conducting voter registration, and undertaking electoral voter education and civic education programmes. For the state of Central Equatoria, such processes will be driven from this office under the supervision of the NEC. 

4.   However, as much as the physical space for preparing for and holding elections is needed, other types of space are also needed, chiefly political and civic space. The ongoing process of building a united, peaceful and prosperous society in South Sudan requires the will of the people to be faithfully reflected in their own governance, which is best articulated through genuine multiparty elections.

5.   To best achieve this, the protection and expansion of political and civic space is needed, thereby facilitating the inclusion of all stakeholders, particularly women and young people in the processes. One of those processes is the making of a people-led and people-owned Permanent Constitution, a requirement of the Revitalised Peace Agreement which will guide the conduct of elections.

 6.   Furthermore, the issue of security is important. Successful elections rely on a secure environment in which political parties can campaign, and a secure environment in which people can vote. Without true security and meaningful inclusion of all South Sudan’s diverse peoples, the elections will not achieve their intended results.

 7.   RJMEC welcomes the positive step of opening this office, and congratulates the National Elections Commission for this milestone. At the same time, so that elections can remain a realistic goal, RJMEC appeals to the Parties to the Agreement to cease hostilities, resume political dialogue, and return their focus to the implementation of the Revitalised Agreement, as ones determined “to compensate our people by recommitting ourselves to peace and constitutionalism and not to repeat mistakes of the past”, as the Preamble of the Agreement promises the population of South Sudan.

8.       The success of the NEC and the entire electoral process depends not only on the Commission, but on the collective will and cooperation of all political leaders, government institutions, civil society, and the people themselves. We call upon all parties to put the interests of the nation above individual or partisan considerations, to renounce violence, and to commit to peaceful and respectful competition.

9.       RJMEC therefore urges the RTGoNU to provide the necessary support, including political, legal, and financial support, to ensure that the National Elections Commission can carry out its mandate effectively and independently. In this regard, RJMEC appeals to the region and development partners to continue their invaluable support, both technical and material, as South Sudan navigates this critical phase of the transition to a democratic dispensation.

10.   May God bless the Republic of South Sudan.

I thank you. 

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