President Salva Kiir reportedly assured South Africa’s ambassador to South Sudan Mahlodi Sam Muofh that his government is committed to holding a free and fair elections coming December 2024.

Kiir held a meeting with Ambassador Muofh on Friday to discuss the preparations for the general elections, the Office of the President said in a statement.

“The Head of State reassured the South African diplomat of his government’s commitment to organize a free, fair and peaceful elections,” said Kiir’s office.

Ambassador Muofh is also said to have delivered a message of goodwill from President Cyril Ramaphosa.

He told state-owned television SSBC the electoral process in South Sudan will pave way for a democratic transition for the people of South Sudan.

South Sudan is expected to hold its first general elections late this year, as agreed upon by parties to the revitalized peace agreement, after they extended the transitional period for 24-months in August 2022.

This is expected to enable the establishment of a democratically elected government.

But parties to the unity government have greeted the approaching timeline with diverging opinions.

While the SPLM In Government insists the polls will be held as scheduled, some opposition parties have questioned the country’s readiness for such exercise, citing unimplemented electoral provisions and lack of political and civic space.

On January 12, 2024, First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar said the country is not prepared for the process, although his SPLM-IO party is ready, and called for implementation of provisions necessary for credible elections.

The head of UN Mission in South Sudan also assessed, in December 14, 2023, that the country is not in a position to conduct free and fair elections unless necessary conditions and institutions are in place before the last month of 2024.