By Sabri Dibaco
The outgoing United Kingdom Ambassador to South Sudan, David Ashley, has called for urgent political dialogue, greater electoral preparedness, and an open civic space as the country moves toward its scheduled December elections.
Speaking to journalists in Juba, Ambassador Ashley said the UK wanted the elections to take place in December but stressed that the process must be credible, inclusive, and supported by adequate preparations.
“We want to see elections in December, but they have to be credible, warning that there was a lot to do in a very short period of time,” Ashley said.
He said the international community had maintained consistent messaging on the need for security, civic space, and practical preparations for the elections.
“There is a need for security. There needs for a civic space,” Ashley said, emphasizing those political actors must be able to compete, express their views, and present their programs freely.
The ambassador said elections present both a political and logistical challenge, requiring preparations for ballot printing, transportation, voting, counting, and the handling of electoral disputes.
He also called for dialogue among South Sudanese political actors to address whether sufficient time remains for the elections and what should happen if the preparations cannot be completed on schedule.
“We think that dialogue needs to cover the elections,” Ashley said, adding that discussions should also address outstanding provisions of the peace agreement, including the constitution and the unification of forces.
Ashley further called for greater clarity on the electoral timetable and financing, saying practical preparations remained urgent.
He said parties would need adequate time to determine candidates, particularly if state assembly elections are held, while the transportation of ballot papers would also require sufficient preparation time.
Ashley said South Sudan’s political environment should allow political parties and citizens to participate without fear, including through public meetings, rallies, and criticism of government policies.
“Part of it, as I have said, is about opening the political space so that people can speak freely without fear of what might happen to them,” he said.
He also called for equal access to media during the campaign period, including access to the South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC).
“There should be equal access. It can’t be that state resources are used by one particular political party,” Ashley said.
The ambassador said the caretaker government should remain neutral and focus on organising elections and conducting normal government business rather than supporting a particular political party or candidate.
“A caretaker government should be neutral,” Ashley said, adding that state resources should not be used to support any one candidate or party.
The call came as the UK ambassador made his last visit to states like Western Equatoria State and Jonglei before handing over to the new ambassador to South Sudan.
He affirmed that the UK government will stand with the people of South Sudan as they continue to suffer at the hands of people who have no political will.