By Lodu William Odiya
The South African government has yesterday affirmed commitment to supporting South Sudan towards democratic election.
Speaking during a handover ceremony of Toyota Prado car donated by South African government to the National Elections Commission, the South African Ambassador to South Sudan, Mahlodi Sam Muofhe said they would walk with the people, and the South Sudan government until such time that the youngest nation goes for its democratic elections.
“We are doing so because, as South Africa, we are saying we would like to hear South Sudanese voices, hearing the bells of democracy and freedom in South Sudan, not hearing guns roaring, maiming people” he said
Muofhe said the vehicle they donated was meant to empower the Commission here to go around in the country, educating people about their voter rights.
“South Sudanese must know that it is their democratic right to vote for democracy. It is their democratic right to vote and elect democratically people who will lead them.
“It is only when there is a democratically elected government that services to the Republic of South Sudan, to the people of South Sudan, will be unleashed and felt by the people of South Sudan on the ground” he added.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the National Election Commission in South Sudan, Professor Abednego Akok Kacuol appreciated the move taken by the South Africa government stating the donation indicates that the South Africa government were serious to see that there was transformation from transitional government to democratic government.
“This is a very nice approach and I really appreciate this and it will be seen today by South Sudanese who will be watching the video or the television that South Africa is committed to support us” he said.
“If they are committed to support us, what are we going to do as nationals? Now this is the second time they brought a car to us to enable the Commission to move to rural areas to see and talk to those voters. As Riley put it, it is time now for us to awake South Sudanese” Abednego added.
The General elections are due to be held in South Sudan on 22 December 2026, the first since independence.