
South Sudan: South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) – Press Release on the meeting between SSPDF and UPDF Chiefs of Defence Forces (02.10.2024)




“𝐉𝐮𝐛𝐚, 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟑, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 — The Presidency, under the chairmanship of President Salva Kiir Mayardit, has announced an extension of the country’s transitional period by two years as well as postponing elections,which were initially scheduled for December 2024 to December 22nd, 2026. Speaking to reporters, Presidential Adviser on National Security, Hon. Tut Gatluak said the extension is an opportunity to implement the critical remaining protocols in R-ARCSS, such as the permanent constitution process, census, and the registration of political parties. On his part, the Minister of Cabinet Affairs Dr. Martin Elia Lomuro said the extension is in response to the recommendations from both electoral institutions and the security sector. Citing pending critical tasks necessary for the successful conduct of elections, necessitating the delay, saying there is a need for additional time to complete essential tasks before the polls. Minister Lomuro also reassured the public that the government would remain operational during this extended period” (Office of the President – Republic of South Sudan, 13.09.2024).
Here we go again, the R-TGoNU, the TNLA and the whole gathering of stakeholders have pushed back and stopped the scheduled elections that was supposed to go down on the 22nd December 2024. The ones that has been following from the sidelines knew this could eventually happen.
As J-1 and everyone encircling the President aren’t ready for an election. The authorities, the legislative bodies or the state apparatus wasn’t in order. Neither has the R-ARCSS been implemented, the structures being built or the institutions prepared for a free and fair election. If the Republic held an election in December 2024 it wouldn’t be credible or fair by any figment of imagination.
President Salva Kiir Mayardit, Dr. Riek Machar and the rest of the key stakeholders in this administration knows everything has gone slow. Every talks, negotiations and such are with hurdles. With fallouts and with bitter bickering. Warlords crossing fires and burning bridges. There are someone who is in it for the short-con and to get a cut. That’s why things are stalling and everyone is trying to further their own interests over building a functioning nation.
That’s why people are waiting. The Khartoum Declarations and the Entebbe Talks are far gone. The Tumaini Initiative and the Rome talks will be forgotten too. The years goes by and things are just malfunctioning out of “status quo” and giving a life-line to the current rulers. While they don’t have to abide by rules or regulations, because they haven’t enacted them or cared to do so.
It is really depressing… R-ARCSS was supposed to be finalized on the 12th May 2019 and since then the leaders have given themselves several of new deadlines. Now they furthered the Transitional Period. Making it soon a decade more. Just imagine the nation never held polls or credible elections since it’s inception. The people haven’t been able or had the option of choosing their leaders. These are people who has taken arms and shoot themselves into power. It isn’t people who are anointed or even vouched for in that regard. No, they are people who has rebelled and who had armed groups behind them. That’s why they are at the table and has a say.
Just think about it. Since 2011… the people have waited on J-1 and the others to do the right thing, but these leaders have failed them. Again and again. Kiir wants to rule by decree and not by constitutional order. Neither does he trust the will of the people. That’s why he doesn’t implement or have the heart to build governing institutions, which could resolve the matter at hand. Alas, it is all individuals who doesn’t want to lose power and influence. Leaders who are afraid of the people and what they would do. Because, if they had faith in them and trusted their judgment. These leaders who have enacted, ensured and made the election happen yesterday. Peace.

“Kajokeji County commissioner reveals the areas which Uganda encroaches (grabs) from South Sudan. Kajo-Keji is a county in central Equatoria state of south Sudan that borders the neighboring Uganda in the districts of Moyo, and Yumbe. These districts of Uganda had been engaged in encroachment (grabbing) of land of Kajo-Keji and causing insecurity within the bordering communities” (Twic Media Reports, 01.09.2024).
This should cause a stir. The idea that a foreign invader and a foreign army is invading a sovereign. The rulers of Juba is sleeping on duty. They are busy on international conferences and peace-talks between old warlords to see the bigger picture. These haven’t institutionalized the state and the prolonged interim or transitional period has hurt the building of a functioning state.
Because of all of that… the South Sudanese government haven’t proper border forces or cantonment of soldiers to keep their territories intact. The SSDF is lacking manpower and weaponry to safeguard the border regions. That’s why the Uganda People’s Defence Forces could just enter and encroaches around 200 villages.
200 South Sudanese Villages in the hands of the Ugandan invaders. This is a deliberate act and aswift move. There been reports of Ugandan soldiers entering and using lethal violence in South Sudan during August. It has been weeks of this information, but now the scale is evident.
The High Command of the UPDF has sanctioned this and they must know about this Operation. They have surely code-named it and given a mandate to a army commander on its behalf. You just don’t want across a border and annexes land without any prior plan or having a mission. This is an act done with either prior knowledge or an offer of the rulers of Juba.
J-1 and the President Salva Kiir should be aware of this. It can be a payback for services in past where the UPDF saved his skin. Nevertheless, these secret agreements haven’t been public or transparent about. Neither is there any forewarning or notice that the UPDF would do this. Meaning this is a hidden secret and now it is in plain sight.
The Foreign Affairs of both nations needs to address it. The general public deserves to know why the UPDF has taken over 200 villages. Why is a sovereign accepting this and isn’t sending the Ugandan forces home? They shouldn’t be here and isn’t defending their homeland within South Sudan. This is pillage and possibly looting another nation for monetary gains. Another game of soldiers of fortune and the victims are the South Sudanese living in Central Equatoria State.
There is a need for clarification from all parties and what is going down. Because, this is a headache of issues. The public needs to know and foreign armies shouldn’t be involved inside a sovereign. That’s where things doesn’t add up.
The UPDF should have the rights or the ability to takeover 200 villages within the Republic of South Sudan. That’s just wrong on all accounts. The R-TGoNU and the J-1 needs to speak out on the matter and be transparent. There is a need for proper information and necessary disclosure, because this is just flabbergasting. Peace.









“7. In terms of preparations for the conduct of elections as scheduled, since our last meeting, I am informed that the National Elections Commission (NEC) has conducted an induction of its newly reconstituted States High Committees. However, some concerns were raised regarding the process by which the list of the members of the High Committees was derived, and a lack of adherence to the 35% minimum threshold of women’s representation. 8. According to the R-ARCSS, the NEC was expected to complete and publish the voter register within six months prior to the holding of elections, a deadline that has already passed. I await an update from the Chair of the NEC. 9. I would like to underscore the importance of proper preparations and funding of the Political Parties Council (PPC) and the National Elections Commission (NEC), so that they can discharge their mandates” (…) “In conclusion, with barely five months left before elections as scheduled in the Roadmap, the lack of adequate elections preparedness and the lack of progress in the unification of forces is causing anxiety among the population of South Sudan, which is already under pressure from the current difficult economic situation. It is important, therefore, that the Principals of the Parties to the Agreement meet, consider the report of the High Level Standing Committee, and provide clarity on the way forward” (R-JMEC – ‘STATEMENT BY H.E. AMB. MAJ GEN (rtd) CHARLES TAI GITUAI CBS INTERIM CHAIRPERSON – RJMEC TO THE 37TH RJMEC MONTHLY MEETING THURSDAY, 8 AUGUST 2024 JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN’ 08.08.2024).
The latest statement from the Interim Chairperson Amb. Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai yesterday is coming with quotes that speaks volume of the lack of implementation and preparation for the scheduled elections on the 22nd December 2024. This is the date set for the first elections since independence.
These elections seems like a charade and we should rather see a prolonged transitional period. Since the current TNLA and R-TGoNU aren’t able to facilitate and secure the organizational tools to run a legitimate election. The current stakeholders and the ones in office seems like recklessly avoiding to fulfil the stipulations in the R-ARCSS. Which also is parts of the agreement to ensure a peaceful and legitimate election.
At this moment, the leaders of Juba and in South Sudan isn’t willing or isn’t considering it as a vital thing to do. Neither is there any will or rush to fix these things either. They are without words saying the elections won’t happen and there will be an extension of the transitional period.
The transitional period has to be extended and the ones in J-1 and elsewhere is given more time to fix the lacking implementation. There is soon no excuses and no reasons to continue it. It is more a charade and a way of keeping the current leaders in office. They came to power with guns and they aren’t willing to risk it with the ballot. Therefore, it is easier to not work or try to enforce the R-ARCSS. Than actually risk losing the office and losing power, which you currently has as an achievement with accordance to the same agreement.
That’s how it is looking from afar. That the leaders are willing to continue to stay in power and in office without an official mandate. Only prolong the agony and the transitional period, indefinitely. Because, that is easier than building a functional state or even institutionalize as such. If the state is properly institutionalized, than the President cannot decree his rule or appoint without merit people. That will takeaway power and instruments, which has given J-1 an advantage over everyone else.
This is why we know Kiir won’t risk holding an election, as long as he fears losing all of that. He has too cling on to power and his the sort of leader that will die in office. Peace.



There are many questions remaining after the announcement this week that the SPLM/A (IO) has left the Tumaini Initiative or the Nairobi Peace Talks. There are no bigger things at stake and you can wonder where this leaving the SPLM (IO) in the grand scheme of things.
The SPLM/A-(IO) is one of the key parties or organizations in the R-ARCSS. It is also a vital part of the RTGoNU. Which is the government and has the ability to partake and be part of the government bodies in which the peace agreement are designating it too.
That’s why this is more than just a mere stand-off between well known principals of President Salva Kiir Mayardit and Dr. Riek Machar. Those two has fought it out before and done their “war-cries” as a measure to gain territory and even consolidate more power. Therefore, this time might not be any different.
We can wonder if Machar thinks he can re-negotiate himself into a better position ahead of the polls in December 2024. That would be an interesting narrative, but I am not sure that is the case. As they are now a major party and has a huge say. While SPLM-IG has the most and is the biggest beneficiary, but there are others who has a say too. That’s maybe the SSOMA and other Non-Signatory Groups, which did participate in the Rome talks. Therefore, the power play and the issues are as simple as feeling outwitted or outsmarted by other “opposition” voices. Alas, that is maybe the case.
Dr. Machar wants to be the next in line. He has wanted for so long to overtake and be the guy that is the successor of the President. To think otherwise is naive and he has been aiming for the throne for so long as I can remember. This guy won’t relent and he has used all the tricks up his sleeve to try to get there.
President Kiir will have more trouble ahead of the polls. Elections that is already on shaky grounds and now the peace talks are less legitimate. That is the will of the IO and Machar. They are making things more hectic and possibly trying to force Kiir to the round-table. However, we don’t know if he will hesitate and try to make amends that quickly.
The Tumaini Initiative is supposed to be within the frameworks of the R-ARCSS and be a continuation of the other agreements in association with that. When the IO is leaving. It is practically leaving both and becoming an outsider. You can wonder if they are planning to leave government, the national assembly and everything else. If they do… then the water is boiling and the red-flags are up. It isn’t just an symbolic act or an act of defiance, but a way of stalling all process. In which Kiir has to relent and openly have dialogue with the IO to cease their actions. As that is further escalating things and could jeopardize the fragile peace, which is thin already.
That’s what the matter here… and it is the timing of it too. When the state has planned to extend the R-ARCSS with more time and has an election without the proper institutions or procedures to make it credible. That’s when IO is dipping out and it could be out of fear of the scheme of being totally wiped out in an election. We cannot know…
Regardless of just that… this isn’t a good sign and South Sudan deserves so much better. This is petty play for the titles and being in command. It is all about getting more and more, and hoping other will take less. That’s the gig here and they are playing with fire in the midst of all that. Peace.