South Sudan has scheduled a general election for December 22. It will be the first since the country gained independence from Sudan in 2011. But political tensions are high as preparations lag.
Debate over the election intensified after President Salva Kiir dissolved the transitional unity government on September 22 to form a caretaker administration. Many are worried not only about the electoral logistics and insecurity in the country known for violent power struggles and political instability, according to Denis Logonyi, a Juba-based journalist. To play this audio please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 audio "People are having different views on these elections," Logonyi told DW.
"You hear discussions in political circles and on social media, but ordinary people are not talking much about elections," Logonyi told DW. "There has been no voter education, no voter registration, and only a few months remain," one voter said. Another voter told DW that while South Sudanese are eager for a credible election process, the country was not adequately prepared.
Food prices are rising, civil servants are not being paid, and displaced people are struggling, the voter said. Political parties have until October 22 to present their manifestos and register. On October 7, South Sudan concluded a two-week Inter-Party Dialogue.
Thirty-nine parties took part in discussions on the critical issues ahead of the election. The meeting was initiated by Kiir, with some civil society groups left out, according to Logonyi. Minister of Cabinet Affairs Dr.
Martin Elia Lomuro outlined a few of the challenges. "Delayed funding could severely affect civic education and election infrastructure. There is need for a clear legal framework to govern the participation of the country's administrative areas.
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