South Sudan will not hold polls in 2022 - Presidency

JUBA, South Sudan

Communication from the office of the president says South Sudan is not in a position to conduct general elections in 2022 as earlier envisioned in the peace deal.

The office was responding to calls by Dr. Peter Biar Ajak, political activist and former detainee, who sought refuge in the U.S. in 2020.

A fortnight ago Biar testified before the U.S. senate committee on foreign relations saying the South Sudanese government is intentionally derailing the appointment of new elections commissioners, the conduct of the population census, and the updating of the voter registry for elections to be held on time.

He claimed that the transitional justice process, economic reforms, reconstitution of the transitional legislature, the promulgation of a new constitution, the reunification of forces are crucial issues at stake.

He said President Kiir’s administration lacks legitimacy from the electorates since the country last conducted elections in April 2010.

But in a strongly worded statement signed by the Minister of Presidential Affairs, Nhial Deng, said: “Biar’s testimony is full of unsubstantiated allegations and baseless claims.”

It states that Kiir would have sought reelection in 2015 if it were not for the conflict that gripped the African country in December 2013.

It further dismisses claims that democracy in the country is being stifled by the use of the national security apparatus.

The office of the president insisted that the current responsibility-sharing matrix in the revitalized transitional government is a testimony that democracy is in action.

It said Biar’s call for early elections in 2021 is without justification, citing that the inauguration of the current unity government took some time.

The state house argues that elections cannot be conducted without a permanent constitution and a population census.