The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General Nicholas Haysom and his Deputy Guang Cong, have stressed the need for South Sudan to progress toward a more stable and democratic future ahead of its upcoming elections.

The UN officials reportedly made the call during a meeting with President Kiir on Wednesday in Juba.

The meeting between President Kiir, UNMISS boss and his deputy discussed the critical challenges facing the country and highlighted the government’s role in ensuring stability and peace as the country heads to polls, the office of the president said.

President Kiir and the UN representatives also reviewed progress in the Tumaini initiative with the view to secure an inclusive peace process in South Sudan.

They jointly urged parties to the consensus to keep the current momentum and reach out to a comprehensive deal that will salvage the situation in the country.

Additionally, the talks addressed regional challenges, particularly the ongoing conflict in Sudan.

Haysom acknowledged the significant strain the Sudanese conflict is placing on South Sudan, especially in managing its consequences, including increased humanitarian and regional pressures.

UN Secretary-General, Nicholas Haysom spoke to media after meeting president kiir yesterday.

“We discussed the challenge to make progress in the transition to a stable democratic and peaceful South Sudan and the imperative of implementing the peace agreement, but also in making progress in regard to the Tumaini initiative,” Haysom told the media.

“We would want to see progress on all the tracks which will lead to the first free and fair elections. We had an opportunity to talk about the requirements that would be necessary for those elections.”

“We also were able to touch on some of the regional challenges and in particular the conflict in Sudan and the stress it is placing on South Sudan also to accommodate the consequences of that conflict.”

The dicsussion underlined the importance of continued cooperation between the Government and partners to address key underlying issues, as the nation strives to uphold peace and consolidate democracy.