US Secretary of State, Antony J. Blinken. | Credit: US Department of State |.
The United States Secretary of State, Antony J. Blinken called on South Sudan’s leaders to take the steps necessary to meet the expectations of their people and guarantee a future of peace and the ability to choose their leaders through genuine and peaceful elections.
Antony Blinken issued this directive on the eye of South Sudan’s 13th independence anniversary on July 9.
“On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, I congratulate the people of South Sudan as they celebrate their independence. In 2011, South Sudan emerged as the world’s newest nation, amidst joy and high expectations from its people that its leaders would work to establish a democratic, just, and peaceful society,” Blinken said.
He urged the transitional government of South Sudan to start using public financial resources transparently for the good of all the people of South Sudan.
He also called on South Sudan’s transitional government to create an environment that is conducive for the effective provision of international donor assistance, including by reducing the costs and risks faced by those trying to help the South Sudanese people.
“The United States’ relationship with South Sudan began decades before its independence and is based on values, including belief that the South Sudanese people deserve democracy, human rights, and a government that is responsive to their needs,” Blinken said.
“We will always stand with those who work to advance these values so that all South Sudanese can live in peace and with dignity.”
The National Elections Commission announced December 22 as the date for elections, though the critical pre-elections activities such as the population census, voter registrations, repatriation of refugees back home, and above all, putting in place a genuine permanent constitution to guide the electoral processes still lagging.
The Chairperson of the Political Parties’ Council James Akol Zakayo on Monday (July 8) announced June 30th as the deadline for registration of political parties intending to contest in the expected general elections.
Zakayo closed the door on the main political party (Sudan People’s Liberation Movement In-Opposition) as the deadline for registration elapsed.
He declared that at least 14 new political parties have been accredited after paying a $50,000 political parties registration fee despite the order issued by the justice minister canceling this huge registration fee.
