Haysom says election extension was “regrettable”
While acknowledging that the extension of 2024 elections was inevitable, Haysom says the decision was regrettable, and issues ‘six benchmarks which the parties can address immediately’
By Opio Jackson
The Head of UNMISS, Nicholas Haysom has told the United Nations Security Council that the extension of the South Sudan’s election from December 2024 to 2026 was inevitable but “a regrettable development” given the deep frustration and fatigue felt by the South Sudanese people at the apparent political paralysis.
He said the citizens were frustrated by the inaction of their leaders to implement the peace agreement and deliver the long-awaited democratic transition.
“I have been holding intensive discussions with political leaders, civil society, faith-based representatives, youth leaders, women’s coalitions, and international partners. This has left me in no doubt that, as the Secretary-General has stated, the only way forward is for the South Sudanese leaders to urgently find the compromises, modes of implementation and take the decisive steps required to achieve a critical mass of key benchmarks set out in the Revitalised Peace Agreement,” Haysom stated.
In his address to the UNSC, he said since the extension, the implementation of the Revitalised Agreement and its Roadmap has, yet again, been relegated to the back burner while political interests play out at the national level.
“And it seems that the Tumaini initiative, aimed at bringing holdout opposition groups into the peace agreement, has largely stalled although, upon the invitation of President Kiir, President Ruto of Kenya visited Juba on Wednesday.”
He continued that the Presidents apparently decided to reconvene this mediation, resolving outstanding issues within two weeks and to secure, thereafter, a regional endorsement.
“UNMISS has been clear. The clock on South Sudan’s fourth extension has started ticking. It doesn’t reset in February next year when the extended transition begins. It begins now. Otherwise, we may find ourselves in the same predicament in December 2026,” Haysom warned.
He further said that this cannot be business as usual for the parties to the peace agreement, the political elite, the guarantors of the peace agreement, or the international community, adding that they should collectively make this extension the last and deliver the peace and democracy the citizens deserved.
According to him, UNMISS has identified six achievable benchmarks which the parties can address immediately, including deploying the Necessary Unified Forces (NUF), starting Phase II of their joint training, and agreeing the middle command structure.
Another area he said, the parties should start the civic education that includes preparatory work for voter registration, amending the National Security Services Bill, so as to expand civic and political space.
Haysom also recommended for the development of a code of conduct between political parties, civil society and the media, and clarification on the responsibility-sharing for electoral security.
“I met recently with President Kiir to discuss the urgent need for progress, informing him of our productive engagements with other national stakeholders and emphasizing the importance of his continued involvement in this regard.”
“The international community must also rally around these immediate tasks. We need collective leverage and a unified voice to support a peaceful conclusion to the transitional period. A partnerships approach remains critical. We acknowledge that it is difficult to keep the focus on South Sudan at a time of competing global crises but remain convinced that, neither the country nor the region, is capable of withstanding another relapse into conflict,” Haysom stated
He pledged UNMISS readiness to move ahead with assistance to the National Elections Commission, including through packages of support that combine hardware (bricks and mortar) and software (that is, programmatic activities) to standup the Commission as soon as possible.
“We are also collaborating with some 200 civil society organisations across the country to build monitoring alliances and boost civic education and participation in the important task of electoral observation,” he stressed.
Haysom raised concerns about lack of accountability in the public sectors, saying while they see the government’s various appeals for financial support up front and in advance of steps to implement the agreement to donors should take watch.
‘We want to advise that there needs to be demonstrable proof that national financial resources are being prioritized for peace. Meaningful steps could be taken here through the recommendations of the Public Financial Management Oversight Committee so as to ensure the allocation of funding serves to effectively implement the peace agreement and deliver public services,” he continued.
He highlighted that the international community needs tangible evidence that this country’s leaders and political elite are genuinely committed to a democratic future.
“As things stand, there is concern about the current political stagnation. Public patience isn’t limitless. So, I call on the parties to use the next four months before the extended period commences to set and achieve realistic targets but, in particular, take the critical political decisions required to move the process forward,” Haysom remarked.
