PRESS RELEASE,
July 21, 2023 (Nyamilepedia) — The National Consensus Forum (NCF) is concerned about the recent desperate and outrageous move by the “de-facto” Government in South Sudan to yet launch an unwarranted, unpopular, and unwelcome unilateral undemocratic, clandestine, and sham election process next year. This is not an election, but simply another attempt again at an illegal extension of the continuation of the status quo.
National free, fair, transparent, and credible electoral processes are not launched by interested parties or their flag bearers. They are officially launched by the legal electoral commissions of democratically elected governments and involve multiple parties. Long before this spectacular show by the SPLM/IG, the presentation of seriously flawed population estimates giving Warrap and Northern Bhar El Ghazal States alone an absolute majority (52%) of the national population, exposed the ill fate of the compromised elections. Those estimates were contested by all including the United Nations (UN). The UN now has clearly shown that the Country is not yet ready to carry out elections at this time. With the Chief Justice of the country parading himself publicly as part of the party launching the campaign, to whom could any future election irregularities be reported? Would any citizen or observer trust the decisions of such a compromised justice system or the outcome of opaque elections? While elections would be welcome, it is not the right time for holding them now and expect a credible outcome.
The NCF would like to bring to the attention of the peace-loving South Sudanese people, and the Regional and International Community that a conducive environment needs to be created for South Sudanese to exercise fair, free, transparent, and credible elections by ensuring that:
- The de-facto Government in South Sudan must work with all South Sudanese stakeholders to bring about genuine sustainable peace and ensure that security prevails all over the nation.
- Facilitate the return of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their homes. ● Conduct population census.
- Determine and demarcate electoral Constituencies and their boundaries. ● Encourage freedom of movement, expression, and association.
- Form an Independent Electoral Commission and prepare a permanent constitution. ● Open the political space to enable political parties to carry out their activities without intimidation.
The South Sudanese Government has not met any of these conditions for conducting fair, free, transparent, and credible elections. NCF stands firmly with the peace-loving people of South Sudan in denouncing and totally rejecting the brazen and illegal attempt by the de-facto government in Juba, to hold sham elections in South Sudan in 2024. The Inclusive South Sudanese Roundtable NCF is calling for is the only way to resolve the root causes of the Conflict in the Country and achieve a New Dispensation and Social Contract for the long-Suffering People of South Sudan.
The National Consensus Forum (NCF) is an umbrella organization comprising 21 South Sudanese Political, Civil Society, Women, Youth, and Faith-Based Organizations and the Academic and Professional Association and represents a major segment of the South Sudanese Society.
Hon. Pagan Amum Okech: _________________ General Thomas Cirillo:_____________ Real SPLM NAS
General Paul Malong Awan:___________ Ambassador Emmanuel: ____________
SSUF/A Ajawin: NDM-PF
Mr. Abraham Awolich: __________________ MS. Suzanne Jambo: _______________ PCCA STEPS
Ms. Angela Tuna: _______________ Mr. Alex Yatta Lukadi: _____________ SAA SSNMC
Dr. Henry Lejukole: ___________________ General Stephen Buay:______________ Academic & Professionals Rolnyang: SSPM/A
Mr. Mabur Tut: ________________ Simon Reat Marnyout: _____________ RCM CODA
Dr. Matur Gorjok:______________ Mr. Abraham Lado Lolik:____________ NPM
Dr. Jok Madut Juk:___________________
Academic & Professionals
