

South Sudan: Mabior Riiny Lual resignation letter to H.E. Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, Vice President for Service Delivery Cluster (25.08.2024)





“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.











