Michael Makuei, the Minister of Information and government official Spokesperson. | Photo: Lou Nelson/Eye Radio - April 26, 2023

The Minister of Information on Friday dismissed any possible call for an extension of the transitional period and advised parties to the agreement to scale up efforts in ensuring elections are held in 2024.

Michael Makuei said the country is taking the necessary steps to ensure citizens go to polls as stipulated in the roadmap.

Makuei said his SPLM party is for elections while adding that he hopes the other peace parties will not use the absence of a permanent constitution as an obstacle to the polls.

The government spokesperson said anyone who is not ready to contest or vote, should stay away and allow the rest to participate, adding that election is a right.

“We will go for elections and if anybody doesn’t want to go for elections, it is up to him,” said Makuei while addressing journalists in Juba.

“We don’t ask as to why he or she is not going because it is a right given, and if you have decided not to exercise that right, then it is up to you.”

“We don’t ask why you are not contesting or why are you not voting. Any group of people, anybody who accepts this will go for elections, anybody who does not accept will stay away and we are going ahead.”

Makuei said established political parties, especially the SPLM-In Opposition should go for elections to allow the public to elect their legitimate representatives.

“So, my advice to the colleagues and the other political parties especially the IO is that, let us go for elections so that you bring in your legitimate representatives.”

While the Road Map for peace implementation stipulates the making of a permanent constitution as a pre-requisite for the conduct of the general elections, Makuei said there is no need to hurry with the process.

Makuei said anybody who rejects will the conduct of elections is an obstructionist.

“Permanent constitution as I said is a process and as such if it is a process, we don’t need to say, we want it now. People have been saying the constitution must first come out and if it doesn’t come out, we need to make another extension.”

“If you make another extension, the people of South Sudan will laugh at you, and they have gone as far as saying 24 months.”

“This is the roadmap of the roadmap; we are not ready for any other roadmap, or we are not ready for any other extension. It is the people of South Sudan who will decide this time, not us, and anybody who continues to reject is an obstructionist”.

On Thursday, the Cabinet Affairs Minister and First Vice President disclosed that the mechanisms necessary for the conduct of elections will be made functional as soon as the president returns from the U.S.