SPLM-IO Deputy Chairperson, and the First Deputy Speaker of the National Parliament Oyet Nathaniel speaks during a press conference held at SPLM-IO Secretariat Office in Juba - March 1, 2024 - (Photo: Awan Moses/Eye Radio)

The Deputy Chairman of the SPLM-IO said on Friday that the anticipated South Sudan general elections should be held only after the country has a permanent constitution.

Oyet Nathaniel – also the First Deputy Speaker of the National Parliament – said the SPLM-IO will not be part of elections without a permanent constitution.

He stated that heading to polls without the completion of the lawmaking process, may drag the country into crisis and amounts to violation of the revitalized peace agreement.

“If you go now to hold elections under the current circumstance, first of all you will hit constitutional crisis, that’s one, two, you would have not ended the transitional period,” he argued, speaking at a press conference in Juba.

Oyet appeared to concur with the stance of the SPLM party, after saying he wonders for how long the country will be ruled through transitional administrations, although he stopped short on compromise regarding critical provisions of the agreement.

“You will go for another transition, because the constitution that you will have will be a transitional constitution, which will govern a transitional government. For how long South Sudan wants to remain under this political transition?”

“We are saying you must have a permanent constitution to repeal the transitional constitution, in order to terminate the transition.”

Oyet stated that the group will not participate in what he calls a sham election.

“We are not going to be part of any process that will abrogate the peace agreement, we are not going to be part of any elections that will be sham, that will not be free and fair, that will be held in violation of the peace agreement.”

According to the roadmap extending the 2018 peace deal, South Sudanese will cast their votes in December this year during the general elections.

On February 13, the SPLM In Opposition suggested 24 months to complete the pending critical tasks that are prerequisites to the conduct of elections.

The document addressed to President Salva Kiir, called for the implementation of the security arrangements, census, judiciary reforms, repatriation of refugees, and IDP settlement and establishment of the Hybrid Court, before elections take place.

Meanwhile, the SPLM, the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA), and a section of Other Political Parties (OPP), have declared their readiness for elections in December 2024.