Watanabe Tomoko, deputy Head of Mission Embassy of Japan in Juba speaking during the inauguration of Albino Bridge in Juba on Friday, 23rd Feb 2024. (Photo: Charles Wote/ Eye Radio).

A Japanese envoy in Juba said her country is confident that South Sudan can complete the implementation of provisions in the 2018 peace deal in time before elections.

Watanabe Tomoko, deputy Head of Mission at the Japanese Embassy in Juba made the remarks at the inauguration of a 12-meter-long Japanese-built Albino bridge linking Kator and Malakia residential areas in Juba.

Ms. Tomoko said her country is eagerly waiting for the South Sudan government to announce the date and time for conducting the presidential and parliamentary elections.

Referring to the UNMISS survey, Tomoko said about 90 percent of the South Sudanese population wants elections conducted.

“Japan is confident that South Sudan will complete the peace agreement. According to UNMISS survey, there are strong indications that South Sudanese want elections,” he said.

“Around 90% of people interviewed in an UNMISS Perception Survey said that elections are important to them, and they intend to vote.”

“I am looking forward to hear the date announcement for election by the Government to meet the aspirations of the people of South Sudan.”

South Sudan is expected to conduct the first general elections in December 2024, 13 years after gaining independence from Sudan.

This is amid skepticism about the possibility of implementing critical peace chapters including the security arrangement, providing condition for return and resettlement of the displaced, and the writing of a permanent constitution to guide the democratic process.

Some of the accomplished steps in the electoral preparedness include the reconstitution of key electoral institutions such as the National Election Commission, the Political Party Council and the Constitution Review Commission.

On February 16, a UN human rights lawyer called on South Sudan to embrace elections that ends with a handshake and avoid polls that produce fresh grievances, division and violent crisis in the country.