The National Legislative Assembly

The South Sudanese Network for Democracy and Elections has called on the National Legislative Assembly to extend the mandate of the current government.

According to the Transitional Constitution, the mandate will expire in July.

The executive director of SSuNDE, Ijjo Elias, says the extension will allow the government to continue to negotiate peace with the SPLM in Opposition.

“In the period when the peace agreement between the government and the SPLM in Opposition has not been signed, then we expect the national assembly to use its powers to extend the period instead of elections,” Mr Elias said.

“What we need first is the peace to be achieved.”

Mr Ijjo says if the warring parties agree on a peace deal, then the agreement will specify when to hold the next general elections.

He says SSUNDE would support elections in South Sudan when the country is stable and has an environment for effective citizen participation in the electoral process.

South Sudanese Network for Democracy and Elections (SSuNDE) is a nonpartisan and non-profit making National Network Organization in South Sudan.