South Sudan: Postponing Long-Awaited Elections ‘a Regrettable Development’
November 7, 2024
The postponement of South Sudan’s long-awaited elections has been met with disappointment and concern by international observers. The elections, originally scheduled for December 2024, have now been pushed back to an unspecified date.
The decision was announced by the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) on Tuesday, November 6th, citing ongoing security concerns and logistical challenges. The TGoNU said the decision was made after consultations with political parties and civil society groups.
“The postponement of the elections is a regrettable development,” said a spokesperson for the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). “The elections were seen as a crucial step in the country’s peace process and a chance for the people of South Sudan to democratically elect their leaders.”
The elections were originally scheduled for 2018, but were delayed due to the ongoing civil war. The TGoNU was formed in 2020 as part of a peace deal that ended the war.
The postponement of the elections has been met with mixed reactions from the people of South Sudan. Some have expressed disappointment, saying that they had been looking forward to the chance to vote. Others have said that they understand the need for a delay if it means ensuring that the elections are fair and peaceful.
The postponement of the elections is likely to have a number of implications. It could delay the full implementation of the peace deal and prolong the transitional period. It could also lead to increased political instability, as opposition groups may question the legitimacy of the TGoNU.
The international community has called on the TGoNU to ensure that the elections are held as soon as possible. The United States said that it was “deeply disappointed” by the postponement. “The elections are a critical step in South Sudan’s transition to democracy and a lasting peace,” said a spokesperson for the US State Department.
The European Union also expressed disappointment, saying that the postponement “undermines the credibility of the electoral process.”
The TGoNU has said that it is committed to holding the elections as soon as possible. However, it has not provided a specific timeline for when the elections will be held.
South Sudan: Postponing long-awaited elections ‘a regrettable development’
The AI has provided us with the news.
I’ve asked Google Gemini the following question, and here’s its response.
Top Stories a new article on 2024-11-07 12:00 titled “South Sudan: Postponing long-awaited elections ‘a regrettable development’”. Please write a detailed article on this news item, including any relevant information. Answers should be in English.
19