The Deputy Minister of Interior, Marial Gumke, assured citizens of their security ahead of the December 2024 election.

Gumke, who spoke during the opening of the rehabilitated Albino Bridge at Kator, told citizens that the country’s security is normal for the elections.

He said that it is their responsibility, as the Ministry of Interior and other forces, to create a suitable environment for the citizens to elect their leaders in a peaceful atmosphere.

“The security of South Sudan is normal, and we are ready to go for the election. This is something I can assure you, and it is our mandate to create a conducive environment so that Junubin (South Sudanese) choose their leaders in a peaceful atmosphere,” Gumke stated.

The deputy interior minister dismissed the doubts of some citizens that the election would not take place.

 “Others are saying that there are no elections.  But I want to say that the absence of elections is the presence of bad leaders. If we have elections, Junubin (South Sudanese) will choose good leaders who will lead them to the next level.”

“This is an appeal, and I want you to go and know that there will be an election in 2024 per the agreement,” Gumke added.

The revitalised transitional government of national unity is expected to end with the 2024 election, as mandated under the revitalised agreement on the resolution of the conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS).  

However, some parties to the agreement have consistently expressed their concerns about insecurity and other pending critical tasks that must be completed for the country to hold a credible, fair, and democratic election.

On February 20, 2024, Dr. Riek Machar, the first Vice President and chairman of the SPLM-IO party, met with a UN mission led by Jean Pierre to discuss the status of the peace agreement, in which Dr. Machar expressed concerns about some critical tasks needed for holding a peaceful election in 2024.

The opposition leader noted the crucial pending tasks, including security sector reforms, population censuses, the constitution-making process, and availing resources to related institutions for a credible election to take place.

He further told the UN Chief that “all these arrangements were meant to secure the country and the elections.”