KUAJOK - Marco Akec thinks that the word "transitional" defines not only the country’s government but also the state of his own life – as something almost permanent.

“When I was little, people told me we were living under a transitional government. Now, as an adult, I’m still being told that it is temporary and that we must be patient for the transition to come to an end,” he said.

In Warrap State, many, not least the youth, share that sentiment, and the hope and eagerness for South Sudan’s first elections since gaining its independence, in 2011, to take place.

“Whenever they [elections] have been scheduled, they have been postponed. Let’s hope this one isn’t,” said Ameilia Anguec, a youth representative working for a local non-governmental organization. She does, however, add that conditions must be right for electoral plans to go ahead.

“We have to prepare ourselves, and the whole country has to be at peace.”

Bona Maluel Akech, Chairperson of the Warrap State Civil Society Network, shared other concerns, including the fact that armed forces in South Sudan have not yet become one unified national, a lack of funding for election commissions and civic education at the grassroots level, and general insecurity in many parts of the country.

“Our political parties are also disagreeing among themselves. They are not working together on how to support and make elections possible,” she added.

Furthermore, many South Sudanese women, whether young or not, fear gender-specific complications.

“We are hoping for free, fair and peaceful elections, but for us women, cultural barriers often prevent us for participating fully in political processes. Still, we hope that we will be allowed to vote,” said women’s rights activist Sarah Ibrahim, noting that the country’s peace agreement’s stipulation that women should have at least 35 percent political representation at all levels is still a long way from being observed.

More than twice that percentage, 70 percent of South Sudan’s population, that is, are made up of people below the age of 30. The country’s youth frequently remark that they are politically underrepresented – but very much keen on having a weighty say, befitting their numbers.

At a workshop on youth inclusiveness in the electoral process, organized by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the rest of the world body’s Integrated Electoral Assistance Team, several of young women and men wondered and questioned whether coming elections will result in them getting the kind of influence they feel they should have.

Adewuyi Adewumi, Acting Head of the peacekeeping mission’s Field Office in Kuajok, advised young participants to look beyond the casting of votes.

“Your responsibility doesn’t end with elections. Your engagement and leadership should continue to strengthen democratic institutions long after they take place.”

The Chairperson of the Warrap State High Elections Committee, Jacob Anei, acknowledged that a variety of hurdles have hampered electoral preparations but expressed optimism on the way forward.

“The assembly has approved the budget, but legal and liquidity issues have obstructed the implementation of our plans.  Soon, we will move ahead, and we expect you to join us in initiating this process,” he told those in attendance.