By William Madouk
The Reconstituted Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU) is facing a test of its legitimacy, as the parties to the 2018 peace deal remain tight-lipped on whether to extend the transitional period or hold elections.
No.1 Citizen Daily Newspaper has established that a high-level committee has conducted an evaluation of the roadmap and submitted the report to the Presidency, which must now decide on the fate of the agreement.
Under the terms of the 2018 peace deal, the government of national unity could be dissolved by September 22 if the parties fail to decide whether to go for elections or extend the transitional period further.
Legislator Peter Lomude has sounded the alarm bell on the looming legal crisis that could befall the government if no action is taken in time.
“As all of us are aware, this government is living in a transitional period, and this transition was extended through what we called the Roadmap,” Lomude said.
“By the 22nd of September, that is next month, the whole government is supposed to be dissolved, and the country is supposed to go for election by 22nd of December this year.”
Lomude added that the high-level committee had submitted the evaluation report to the Presidency, but the Presidency is yet to decide on the matter, leaving the country in a state of uncertainty.
The legislator has called on the government’s leadership to fast-track the dialogue among the parties to the peace deal to reach a consensus on whether to hold elections or extend the transitional period further.
“I would also like to seize this opportunity to urge the Presidency and guarantors to the peace agreement to ensure that the fast-track dialogue of the political parties signatories to the peace agreement to reach consensus whether we are going for election or not,” he said.
“Otherwise, this government will run out of the legitimacy by 22nd of September, next month.”
To Lomude, the parliament must summon Prof. Abednego Akok, the chairperson of the national election commission, to brief the House on the status of the electoral preparations.
“I Would like to seize this opportunity to summon the chairperson of the National Election Commission together with nine commissioners to brief this House on the level of preparation that they have put in place for the conduct of elections in December this year.”
In response, the First Deputy Speaker, Nathainel Oyet said the executive in the revitalized government are aware of the looming legal crisis, adding that they would take appropriate action soon.
“I am sure the executive of the revitalized government of national unity and the council of the ministries, and the ministry of justice – they are all aware of this situation,” Oyet said.
“And they are taking appropriate measures to ensure that they cope up with the looming legal crisis that may befall the country comes 22nd September 2024,” he added.
Oyet noted that the high-level committee had already adopted a report and submitted it to the principals for action
“They adopted the report which is to be shared with the parties to the agreement and on the basis of that report the parties to the agreement including the principals to the agreement will sit and deliberate on this report and take appropriate decision.”
Besides, the Deputy speaker urged Lomude to put a summon of the chairperson of NEC in writing.
“On the issue of summoning the chairman of the National Election Commission, you can put it in a motion form. so that it can go through the due processes in the parliament and then the chair can be summoned.”