An elections commission staff empties a ballot box at the start of vote counting at a polling station in Juba, south Sudan April 16, 2010 (Reuters).

The IGAD, African Union, and the UN mission in South Sudan have formed a tripartite to support preparations for the upcoming general elections in 2024.

Cabinet Minister Dr. Elia Lumoro said the peace guarantors voiced willingness to support the elections in a meeting in Juba Thursday.

“I am delighted to hear that from my colleagues in the agreement and to the people of South Sudan that they have established a tripartite that they have brought together IGAD, the African Union and even UNMISS to help us in this process,” Dr. Elia said.

Minister Lumoro has called on the peace parties to focus on implementing the peace roadmap, saying the 24-month towards elections is not a long period.

He said the parties should lead the country toward a smooth, free and fair elections.

“So, what I want to say to my colleagues in the agreement and to the people of South Sudan, 24months is not a long period of time,” he said.

“We don’t want to blink, we want to make sure we are focused and that our eyes are open and that we lead this country smoothly to that promise that we made that we want South Sudan to go into free, fair and democratic elections.”

The cabinet minister said the peace agreement implementation is the only solution to the years of instability in the country.

For his part, the IGAD Special Envoy to South Sudan Ambassador Ismail Wais called on the international community to stand with South Sudan in its quest for last peace.

“This is a good chance for this country to see that peace in the country is maintained and that agreement is implemented, and South Sudan becomes a very productive member as it was intended to be.”

“We recommend that the international community, the African Union and others should stand with this time also to see that this.”