The opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement- in opposition (SPLM-IO) under the First Vice President Riek Machar on Thursday bemoaned the restrictions on freedom of speech and movement that is limiting it’s ability to mobilize support across the country
“We are not talking about the graduation or deployment of (unified) forces; we are talking about granting constitutional freedoms, the freedom of speech, freedom of association, and freedom of movement. There is no political and civic space in the country,” Puok Both Baluang, the press secretary for the First Vice President Riek Machar said in an interview in Juba.
He said the permanent constitution should have been completed ahead of the December 2024 elections, but is not yet in place.
Baluang said the citizens could be set to witness and participate in a sham election process, if the requisite electoral mechanisms are not in place.
“It will be a sham election that might lead people back to conflict, we are ready for elections but the prerequisites are not in place and the country itself is not ready,” he said.
Baluang disclosed that some of the important things required to be done before the elections include enactment of the permanent constitution, the repatriation of refugees from neighboring countries, and the population census.
“We are saying instead of rushing to talk about elections, let us focus on how we can carry out and implement the provisions of the roadmap for the agreement, these provisions are the ones leading us towards fair, free and transparent elections,” he said.
First Vice President Riek Machar Teny is highly expected to throw his hat in the ring come election time.
President Salva Kiir Mayardit has already been endorsed by regional leaders from his Sudan People’s Liberation Movement to contest the elections.
