By Louis Loku
The National Democratic Movement (NDM) has warned that South Sudan is not ready to conduct credible elections.
The party cited ongoing insecurity, incomplete reforms, weak institutional preparedness, and a lack of conditions necessary for a free, fair, and peaceful electoral process.
The opposition party made the statement during a press conference in Juba, where NDM Secretary Bol Joseph Agau presented the party’s position on behalf of its chairman, Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin.
While reading out the NDM position on the upcoming elections, Secretary General Bol Joseph Agau said the country is not yet ready for the December elections.
“The National Democratic Movement (NDM) party, therefore, maintains that it is not possible to conduct free, fair, credible, peaceful elections under current circumstances,” Bol said.
The NDM said the country’s current political and security environment does not provide the foundation required for elections that can produce a legitimate and accepted outcome.
It argued that elections should be the conclusion of a comprehensive peace and reform process rather than a stand-alone exercise.
The party said the revitalised agreement has not fully delivered on its objectives of achieving sustainable peace, democratic transformation, and the establishment of strong state institutions.
According to the NDM, several key provisions of the peace agreement remain incomplete, including security sector reform, the permanent constitution-making process, institutional reforms, judicial reforms, and the creation of a political environment that allows all citizens and political actors to participate freely.
The party noted that the transitional period has already been extended twice, first in 2022 and again in 2024, after stakeholders recognised that the necessary preparations for credible elections had not been completed.
The NDM questioned why there is renewed pressure to hold elections despite the continued existence of the same challenges that previously led to extensions of the transitional period.
“The conditions that prevented credible elections in the past have not fundamentally changed,” the party said, warning that rushing into elections without addressing outstanding issues could further destabilise the country.
The opposition group also raised concerns over the security situation, saying armed clashes among factions of the SPLM signatories and rising communal violence across parts of the country have created an unstable environment for peaceful political competition.
The NDM further questioned the readiness of the National Elections Commission, pointing to what it described as inadequate funding and limited preparations.
The party said the commission has received less than five per cent of its approved budget, despite the limited time remaining before the planned elections, and has not yet released a clear electoral timetable.
The statement also highlighted South Sudan’s economic difficulties, including delayed salaries for government employees, worsening living conditions, and declining public confidence in state institutions.
While opposing another extension of the transitional period under the current arrangement, the NDM said maintaining the status quo would only prolong political uncertainty and increase the hardship faced by citizens.
Instead, the party proposed an inclusive national dialogue involving all signatories to the peace agreement, non-signatory groups, political parties, civil society organisations, religious institutions, women’s groups, youth representatives, and other stakeholders.
The NDM said such a dialogue should be facilitated by the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), or another mutually acceptable regional or international partner, to reach a new political consensus for the country’s future.
The party said a new political arrangement could replace the current peace framework, similar to how the 2018 R-ARCSS replaced the 2015 peace agreement.
The NDM warned that if elections proceed without addressing the outstanding challenges, it would consult with other political forces to develop a common position on the way forward.
The party reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing peaceful and democratic means, saying South Sudan needs lasting peace, genuine democracy, national stability, and a broad political settlement that can deliver justice and a better future for its people.