South Sudan is preparing for its first elections since gaining independence in 2011. The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the UN Development Programme recently organized a workshop in the capital, Juba, to provide training and support to election officials. The aim is to ensure that the upcoming elections, scheduled for December 2024, are free, fair, and credible. This article will provide an overview of the training and the challenges faced in organizing the elections.
The training workshop held in Juba brought together key South Sudanese interlocutors, including the National Elections Commission, the Political Parties Council, the National Constitutional Review Committee, security forces, the Ministry of Justice, the judiciary, and the Ministry of Finance. The three-day exchange focused on discussing the multitude of challenges involved in organizing an election of this scale and importance.
Organizing national elections in South Sudan poses significant challenges. The workshop highlighted the need for civic and political education, as well as voter registration, to be completed before June to ensure successful elections. The Chair of South Sudan’s electoral Commission, Abednego Akol Chol, expressed confidence that free, fair, and credible elections can be achieved with proper preparation and attention to these key issues.
The head of the UN’s Integrated Electoral Assistance Team, Darren Nance, emphasized the importance of political will, a sense of urgency, and compromise in establishing the necessary conditions for the elections. He acknowledged that organizing an election of this magnitude within a 10-month timeframe is a challenge for any country, including South Sudan.
Nicholas Haysom, briefing ambassadors at the UN Security Council, outlined key conditions required for the elections to be deemed free, fair, and credible. These conditions include the establishment of a new permanent constitutional framework, voter registration details, an election security plan, well-trained and equipped security forces, and a mechanism for resolving disputes over results.
Haysom also highlighted the elevated tensions in South Sudan due to the dire economic situation, climate shocks, and a fragile political environment. He warned that if these risks are not mitigated, there remains a real threat to civilians. UNMISS is implementing proactive measures to mitigate the risks of violence before, during, and after the elections. These measures include maintaining a robust presence in potential hotspots, extensive patrolling, and boosting political and civil engagement at the community and national levels.
As South Sudan prepares for its first elections since independence, election officials are undergoing training and receiving support from the UN to ensure the elections are free, fair, and credible. The challenges of organizing a national event of this scale within a 10-month timeframe are significant, but with the necessary political will and proper preparations, successful elections can be achieved. The UN and UNMISS are committed to supporting South Sudan in creating the conditions necessary for a peaceful and inclusive electoral process.