A coalition of 12 opposition parties in South Sudan gathered on November 18 to lay out their views on a roadmap for the country's long-overdue first elections.
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| The opposition has called on South Sudanese President Salva Kiir (pictured) to stick to the election schedule after repeatedly missing deadlines. (Source: AFP/Getty Images) |
Specifically, they marched in the capital Juba to be able to participate unhindered in the first national election since South Sudan gained independence in 2011.
Two years after becoming the world's newest nation, South Sudan descended into a civil war that killed 400,000 people, before reaching a peace deal that saw the creation of a power-sharing government in early 2020.
However, many important milestones of that agreement have been missed, while key conditions paving the way for free and fair elections, including the adoption of a constitution, have yet to be implemented.
President Salva Kiir, South Sudan's only leader since independence, has announced elections will be held in 2024 - nine years later than originally planned.
However, the opposition at the rally said more time was needed to prepare. “The time left for elections in 2024 is not enough,” South Sudan Communist Party chief Joseph Wol Modesto told the rally.
“The dangers of holding elections without putting the necessary conditions (in place) will lead the country to war,” the politician added.
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