NEW YORK, Aug. 16, 2024 — U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield has called on South Sudanese leaders to conduct free, fair, and transparent elections, marking an end to the transitional period that has been ongoing since the country gained independence in 2011.
Speaking during a United Nations Security Council briefing on Wednesday, Thomas-Greenfield emphasized the urgency of this transition for the South Sudanese people, who have long sought peace, security, and freedom.
“It is long past time the people of the country experience the peace, security, and freedom they have so long demanded, that they fought for, and they so deserve,” Thomas-Greenfield stated.
She highlighted the progress made through initiatives like the Kenyan-led Tumaini Initiative, which has mediated talks between the transitional government and non-signatories of the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan. The ambassador urged further international support for such efforts to ensure a successful electoral process.
Thomas-Greenfield also expressed concern over the proposed National Security Service Act, warning that provisions allowing arrest without warrant could undermine freedom of expression and further erode the political and civic environment in South Sudan.
Additionally, the ambassador criticized the South Sudanese transitional government for imposing taxes and fees on UN and humanitarian cargoes, which have significantly disrupted humanitarian efforts. She urged the government to establish a clear system for exemptions to facilitate the delivery of essential aid, especially as the rainy season approaches and the threat of food insecurity looms large.
With potential elections and the rainy season on the horizon, Thomas-Greenfield urged South Sudan’s transitional government to choose a path of peace and prosperity, emphasizing the critical nature of this moment for the nation’s future.
