The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the African Union (AU) have welcomed the decision taken by South Sudan’s parties to the unity government to extend the ongoing transitional period for 24 months, reported The CGTN Africa.
Both the UNMISS and AU have however called the South Sudanese authorities to move fast in the implementation of the peace process in order to return peace and stability in the country.
After getting independence in July 2011, South Sudan descended into conflict in December 2013, following irreconcilable tensions between President Salva Kiir and his deputy, Riek Machar.
Due to regional and international pressure, the warring factions agreed on power-sharing in a unity government inaugurated in February 2020 and scheduled to last until elections are held before 2023.
Earlier this month, five political parties signed the extension deal in Juba. The extension of the timeline was intended to give the country more time to prepare for the crucial elections.
In a statement, the UNMISS urged authorities to bolster efforts to bring on board any other stakeholders. It called out all the parties and signatories to the peace agreement to work together, in an expeditious manner towards the full implementation of the remaining key benchmarks, in order to ensure that a conducive atmosphere is created for the conduct of free, fair, and credible elections at the end of the extended period.
“UNMISS remains committed to supporting an inclusive democratic process and stands with the people of South Sudan in their pursuit of lasting peace, stability and development,” the statement said.
The AU Commission Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, also reiterated his calls for the urgent need for the leaders of the Transitional Government to fulfill their promise to fully implement the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
