As South Sudan prepares for its first elections as a sovereign state, the United Nations peacekeeping mission, United Nations Development Programme, and other partners are helping to build the infrastructure needed to progress this important milestone in the country’s journey from conflict to peace and democracy.

In support of these efforts, a newly renovated office was handed over to electoral authorities in Central Equatoria State to support processes to bolster transparency and accessibility in the electoral process.

“This is not merely an unveiling of a physical structure, it is a reaffirmation of our collective commitment to democratic governance, peace and the right of our citizens to choose their leaders through free, fair, reliable and transparent elections,” said Central Equatoria State Deputy Governor, Paulino Lukudu Obede at the handover event.  

The new office space will strengthen the engagement of the Central Equatoria State electoral committee with diverse stakeholders, including voters, candidates, political parties, civil society organizations, the media, and observer groups and enable them to perform their roles effectively in building a conducive environment for elections.

Similar offices are being constructed or renovated in all states as part of a nationwide project to help lay the foundations for free, fair, credible and peaceful elections.

“As much as the physical space for preparing for holding elections is a good requisite, there are also other types of spaces that are also equally important, mainly the political and civic space,” said Major General George Aggrey Owino, the Interim Chairperson of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC).

“The ongoing process of building a unified, 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 such elections. The best way to achieve this is the protection and expansion of political and civic space and, therefore, facilitating the inclusion of all stakeholders, particularly women and young people in the process.”

As the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement continues to stagnate, peace partners stress the need for the parties to urgently take the necessary decisions and actions needed to end the repeated cycle of extensions to the transition process so that the long-promised elections can take place.

“The National Elections Commission needs clarity. It needs political clarity. It needs legal clarity. And above all, it needs financial clarity for the way forward to make positive progress towards elections,” said Darren Nance from the United Nations Integrated Electoral Assistance Team.

A stable and secure environment is also needed so that elections can be conducted in a peaceful and inclusive manner.

“Above all, what we need is peace. A culture of peace must be brought into existence,” said Professor Abednego Akok Kacuol, Chair of the National Elections Commission.

As political tensions simmer and violent confrontation between organized forces, and within diverse community groups, continues to plague the country, there is still much to be done so that the people of South Sudan can exercise their right to choose their own leaders and secure the better future they deserve.