By Awan Achiek
Parties to South Sudan’s 2018 revitalized peace agreement have proposed extending the time for elections from 2022 to 2023 according to the President Salva Kiir’s Spokesperson, Ateny Wek Ateny.
“The parties to the R-ARCSS propose extending elections to 2023 to allow enough time for political parties to prepare and contest in an election in a conducive environment,” Ateny Wek told reporters on Wednesday.
Wek revealed that the unity government is engaging the international community to help the country conduct a census before elections are held.
“According to the R-ARCSS, (the 2018 South Sudan’s peace deal), the transitional period commenced on February 12, 2020 and will continue for 36 months and ends on March 12, 2023. General elections, therefore, are expected to commence on June 12, 2023 at-least 6 months before the end of the transitional period,” He said.
He reiterated the commitment of the unity government to implementing the peace deal to pave ways for peaceful transfer of power in upcoming elections.
“The unity government remains committed to ensuring transparency, accountable and to faithfully implement the R-ARCSS and gearing up for peaceful transfer of powers in the next elections,” Ateny Wek added.
