The Governments of Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States have issued a joint statement expressing deep concern over South Sudan's decision to extend its transitional period by two years.
"The Governments of Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States note with deep concern the announcement by South Sudan’s leaders of an extension of the country’s transitional period by two years."
According to the statement, this extension highlights a persistent failure among South Sudanese leaders to establish conditions necessary for credible and peaceful elections as per an agreed timeline. The responsibility for this failure is attributed to all parties within the transitional government.
"This announcement demonstrates the persistent and collective failure of South Sudan’s leaders to create the conditions necessary to hold credible and peaceful elections in accordance with an established, publicly agreed-upon timeline. Responsibility for this failure is shared by all parties in the transitional government."
The statement further notes that while South Sudanese leaders vie for power without organizing credible elections, millions of citizens face acute food insecurity annually.
"As South Sudan’s leaders vie for power and fail to organize credible and peaceful elections, the people of South Sudan suffer the consequences. Millions face acute food insecurity year after year."
Acknowledging that scheduled elections in December cannot be held due to leadership failures and lack of political will, the Troika states it cannot endorse extending a status quo that prioritizes elite privileges over public welfare.
"We acknowledge that elections cannot be credibly held as scheduled in December. This is because of South Sudanese leadership failures and lack of political will. Nevertheless, we cannot in good conscience endorse the extension of a status quo that prioritizes the privileges of the elite over the welfare of the South Sudanese people."
The Troika calls on South Sudan's transitional government to urgently create conditions conducive for credible elections. This includes expanding political space for free expression, ensuring politically neutral security forces, operationalizing electoral institutions, and committing publicly to dialogue while rejecting violence.
"We call on the transitional government to act with urgency to demonstrably create the conditions necessary for credible and peaceful elections. This includes expanded political and civic space to enable citizens to express their views without fear or repercussions, politically neutral security forces, funded and operationalized electoral institutions, and leaders’ public commitment to dialogue and rejection of violence as a tool for political competition."
Additionally, they urge efforts towards sustainable peace through initiatives like Tumaini Initiative in Nairobi and leadership-level dialogue in Juba while emphasizing inclusion of women’s and youth voices.
"We urge South Sudan’s leaders to work toward sustainable peace, in particular through the Tumaini Initiative in Nairobi and broad-based leadership-level dialogue in Juba. It is also essential that voices of women and youth are heard."
The Troika reaffirms its commitment to supporting South Sudan on its path towards democracy free from conflict.
"The Troika remains committed to people of South Sudan in their journey towards a democratic future free from conflict."
