There will be general elections next year, the government has said.

On Tuesday, the council of ministers directed the electoral commission to begin preparing the country for the elections.

“We want to abide by the provisions of our constitution,” said Hon. Michael Makuei, government spokesperson.

“This is why the government declared that elections will be run next year that’s next July, By next year the elections would have been run and the president would have been elected, the parliament would have also been elected.”

He said the cabinet has also decided to approve most of the election plans that are to be implemented.

However recently, western countries advised that holding the election next year would be impossible due to the ongoing conflict.

‘Jump ahead’ decision

Meanwhile, an analyst has described the decision taken by the government of south Sudan to organize general elections next year as a ‘jump ahead’.

Ahmad Suleiman is an analyst from Carter Bank.

“If we took away the actual reality of the conflict which is continuing, it would be a jump ahead to start preparing for elections within a year’s time,” said Mr Suleiman.

“I think where we are in the moment, there are some serious doubts of the process and so, I think the international community have doubts of it. That is issues; and definitely they would not welcome it.”

Recently, some western countries advised against holding of election next year, saying it would be impossible due to the ongoing conflict.