The United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken has urged the South Sudanese leaders to take steps necessary to guarantee free, fair and credible elections.
“The United States calls on South Sudan’s leaders to take the steps necessary to meet expectations, and to guarantee their people a future of peace and the ability to choose their leaders through genuine and peaceful elections,” said Blinken on Wednesday in a statement issued on the eve of the 13th independence anniversary.
“We also call on the 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,” he said.
Blinken revealed that the United States’ relationship with South Sudan is based on values including belief that the South Sudanese people deserve democracy, human rights and a government that is responsive to their needs.
“We urge the transitional government to start using public financial resources transparently for the good of all the people of South Sudan,” he said.
The country is due for it’s first-ever democratic elections in December this year.
However, the parties to the 2018 revitalized peace agreement are yet to agree the election timeline, and also they are yet to complete critical electoral tasks and other key aspects in the peace deal which are deemed critical for holding free, fair and credible elections.
