U.S. Department of State logo. (Courtesy).

The United States has called on South Sudan’s leaders to ensure peaceful conditions and use the country’s own public resources to fund elections if the transitional government proceeds with the polls.

The U.S. government says the timing and scope of South Sudan’s elections remain a sovereign decision for South Sudanese to make.

In a statement responding to recent comments by the transitional government about U.S. policy on elections, Washington said it does not seek to impose a political or ideological model on South Sudan.

The United States said its expectation is that South Sudan’s leaders create conditions that allow for peaceful elections and finance the process using domestic public resources.

“We note recent transitional government public comments about U.S. policy toward South Sudan with respect to elections. We reaffirm that the United States does not seek to impose a political or ideological model on South Sudan.  We recognize that the timing and scope of South Sudanese elections are sovereign decisions for South Sudanese to make,” the statement reads.

It said the position reflects sovereign decisions the United States has made regarding its own priorities in South Sudan.

Those priorities, according to Washington, include supporting peace and ending the misuse of public revenue.

“If South Sudan proceeds with elections, our expectations are that South Sudan’s leaders ensure peaceful conditions and fund them with South Sudan’s own public resources. Our position reflects the sovereign decisions the United States has made about its own priorities in South Sudan, as reaffirmed in February by the Department of State. These priorities include peace and an end to the misuse of public revenue, which should be allocated for appropriate public purposes,” it adds

The U.S. government said public resources should instead be allocated to appropriate public purposes.

The statement follows renewed debate over the role of international partners in South Sudan’s electoral process as the transitional government prepares for the next elections.