US envoy urges government to create conducive environment for credible elections
The visiting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Africa, Sudan and South Sudan in the Bureau of African Affairs, Peter Lord has urged the transitional government to step up efforts to create conducive environment for the upcoming 2024 elections.
“I came to talk about the urgent need for all south Sudan’s leaders to take the steps necessary to hold credible and peaceful elections in December and to reject violence as a tool for political competition,” Lord said in a statement issued by the U.S Embassy in Juba on Friday.
“It is based on our conviction that the people of this country deserve peace, human rights, democracy and a government that is responsive to the needs of its citizens, failure to do so would be a collective failure for which those leaders would share responsibility,” he said.
Lord visited South Sudan from 28 to February 29, 2024.
He said that the transitional government of national unity needs to protect its population from the widespread violence.
“Beyond taking steps needed for credible and peaceful elections the transitional government can demonstrate its alignment with these values through transparent use of public revenue to fund public needs and by protecting its population from violence including sexual and gender based violence,” Lord said.
