The opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in opposition (SPLM-IO) said the revitalized peace agreement is the only viable option to end political violence in the country, as its addresses root causes of conflict and provides a system of governance that undertakes transformative reforms.
The SPLM-IO said in a statement issued in Juba on Thursday following end of the meeting of it’s Political Bureau. The SPLM-IO Political Bureau met to evaluate the implementation status of the 2018 revitalized peace agreement.
It called for speeding up implementation of the security arrangements and drafting of the necessary bills and the reconstitution of national independent commissions and independent institutions and also establishment of local government councils.
“Given the fact that the above mentioned activities are not implemented or pending. We urge the parties, stakeholders and guarantors to the agreement to fast track full implementation of the agreement through the road map for the remaining duration in order to conduct peaceful, free, fair and credible election on time,” it said.
The parties to the 2018 revitalized peace agreement agreed in August 2022 to extend the transitional period for another 24 months which is nearing it’s end.
South Sudan is expected to hold it’s first ever national elections in December 2024 when the extended roadmap expires.
However, several key aspects of the peace deal that are crucial to guarantee conducive environment for elections such as the security arrangements, enactment of permanent constitution and electoral laws are yet to be completed.
