S.Sudan wants refugee nationals to participate in polls

The government of South Sudan (GOSS) is contemplating repatriating nationals who left the country over wars, including those who migrated on their own so that they participate in the forthcoming presidential election.

According to reports from the United Nations (UN), since 2013, over four million South Sudanese have fled their homes over fear of losing their lives in the raging political wars.

Over 2.2 million people have left the country entirely, while the other 2.2 million were displaced internally.

South Sudan has only 10.75 million people, according to the World Bank data for 2021, but there is a possibility of an increase. The youngest country in Africa is slated to hold its historic presidential elections in December.

South Sudan foreign affairs deputy minister Mohamed Abdallah Goc said in one of the media briefings he held with journalists from Uganda in Juba recently that all people who had fled away are needed back to participate in the forthcoming elections.

Uganda hosts 1.5 million refugees from Congo, Somalia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and South Sudan. South Sudan has about a million refugees in Uganda. 

International law

According to the laws of the United Nations, refugees are not supposed to participate in any of the activities of their respective countries unless they decide to go back home willingly.

Goc said if refugees agreed to come back home and vote voluntarily, it would mean the development of the country could begin from there.

“As a government, we are advocating for our people to come back home and participate in the election and peacebuilding,” he noted.

Goc said the nationals who left at their own will are free to come back and deserve all the rights to elect or be elected as long as they contest for a position of their choice.

The deputy minister assured that all nationals inside or outside South Sudan should participate since the elections will be historic.

Goc revealed that the GOSS is not strong enough to bring all of its people home. He, therefore, called for assistance from other states.

He said however much of the country is getting back to its original state (peace), some people have managed to return and have re-integrated into society. 

“We want all people to come back home, but we do not have the capacity. We want you to help in that regard. Let's advocate for the international community to help GOSS in the repatriation of our refugees outside of the country,” he said.

There is no place better than home, the ministry said. It added that South Sudan is at the centre of becoming the most peaceful country on the continent of Africa, and people outside are needed to take part.

“When you are outside, you cannot get enough; we want them to come back and tap into the opportunities the government is giving to its people,” he assured.

Background

South Sudan's elections were initially scheduled for 2022 but were postponed to 2023 and later to 2024. These delays were occasioned by insurgencies and insufficient budgets.

Koang Pal Chang, the Eye radio station and programmes manager, said the country could organise the first-ever general election if they join hands to embark on population sensitisation. This will mean using international and local media to disseminate truthful information.

“As a local radio station, we have started educating people about the law and what it means to have elections.”

Chang challenged the government to invest more in road infrastructure to ease movement from one place to another. Most roads in South Sudan are impassable, and according to Chang, one has to spend about $10,000 to reach some areas like Malakal County along the White Nile.

Sora Alaak Baak, a businesswoman in Juba City, said for the past years she has been doing business in Nairobi and Kampala. However, given the signals of peace in the country, she has returned home. Baak is among the millions of South Sudanese who have left the country because of the endless wars, and this time he is hopeful for the country’s stability.

Asked about the elections, she said, “If the elections are not postponed and the refugees repatriated, this would be a historic gesture towards the South Sudanese people to participate in voting for a leader of their choice.”

Most nationals this publication talked to said that after the elections, South Sudan and the people will become too productive since the actual leader will be known and that there will be no more fights.