Vice President Dr. James Wani Igga. | File

Vice President Dr. James Wani Igga said all the political parties in South Sudan are ready for the December 2024 elections except one group which he declined to name.

Dr Igga did not identify which party is not yet ready for the country’s first democratic exercise.

However, the SPLM under President Salva Kiir, the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) and Other Political Parties (OPP) have confirmed their participation in this year’s general election.

However, over the past months, the SPLM-In Opposition expressed reservations over the conduct of general elections, citing the unimplemented provisions of the2018 peace deal.

Dr. Igga, who heads the Economic Cluster in the transitional government, said South Sudanese are going for the polls to elect new leaders, adding that parties will have to agree on the need for the democratic process.

He added that the political parties will dialogue in the coming days while stressing the need for South Sudanese to convince themselves to go to polls.

“Of course, we South Sudanese, we are going for elections, all the political parties have agreed, and maybe only one party remains,” Igga said, speaking during the funeral rite of the wife of politician Othom Rago in Juba.

“Yesterday (Sunday), the party of the National Agenda of those of Comrade Onyoti and others said they also want elections, but really as South Sudanese, we need to convince ourselves through dialogue in the coming days.”

“Ordinary citizens always believe in someone that they elected, not by force, so the elections will be in December, but it’s a good chance for South Sudanese to sit together under a tree to talk.”

Parties to the 2018 revitalized peace agreement are expected to meet in an unconfirmed date and discuss the fate of the conduct of elections, the Minister of Information has said.

The Deputy Chairman of the SPLM-IO said on March 1, 2024, that the anticipated South Sudan general elections should be held only after the country has a permanent constitution.

Oyet Nathaniel – also the First Deputy Speaker of the National Parliament – said the SPLM-IO will not be part of elections without a permanent constitution.

He stated that heading to polls without the completion of the lawmaking process, may drag the country into crisis and amounts to violation of the revitalized peace agreement.