South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit has officially opened the Inter-Party Political Dialogue, bringing political parties and other stakeholders together to discuss preparations for the country’s elections scheduled for December.
Addressing participants at the opening of the dialogue on Thursday, President Kiir reiterated that the elections would proceed as planned, saying there would be no further postponement.
Kiir said the country’s preparations towards a peaceful electoral process were progressing, including work on the political, administrative and security roadmaps.
He stressed that the Inter-Party Dialogue would primarily focus on election-related matters rather than political grievances or broader political negotiations.
According to President Kiir, the main objective is to establish a common understanding among political parties and help create the conditions necessary for peaceful, free and credible elections.
He said the dialogue was established to bring political parties together in support of the electoral process and urged political leaders and participants to respect the country’s electoral laws.
The dialogue comes amid continuing political tensions surrounding Dr Riek Machar and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO).
Despite international calls concerning Machar’s detention and objections raised by his political movement, the Inter-Party Dialogue proceeded with the participation of government officials, political representatives, foreign diplomats, faith-based organisations and civil society groups.
The political discussions are taking place during a significant period of transition in South Sudan.
President Kiir recently dissolved the Transitional Government of National Unity, which was formed in 2020 following the 2018 peace agreement between Kiir, Machar and other parties.
Machar is currently facing trial in Juba alongside seven other defendants over allegations connected to violence in Nasir County in Upper Nile State.
Prosecutors have accused Machar and his co-defendants of involvement in violence that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of soldiers, including a senior military commander.
Machar has strongly denied the allegations against him.
With the December elections approaching, the Inter-Party Dialogue is expected to focus on preparations for the polls and efforts to establish an electoral process that is peaceful, inclusive and credible.
