South Sudan’s government has rejected as unfounded allegations by the United Nations Human Rights Commission that the country’s planned December elections could trigger political confrontation and armed violence.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Friday that the government remains committed to the 2018 peace agreement and to holding elections as part of the country’s democratic transition.
“The Government strongly rejects the unfounded allegations” contained in the commission’s statement issued after its latest visit to South Sudan, the ministry said.
It said the country’s future should be shaped through nationally owned political processes and pointed to a recently announced inter-party dialogue as a platform for political stakeholders to address national issues.
The U.N. Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan said after a four-day visit that renewed violence, political mistrust, shrinking civic space and weak institutions pose serious risks to the planned vote.
“Our concern is with the conditions for elections,” Commissioner Barney Afako told reporters in Juba on Thursday.
The commission called for a cessation of hostilities, adequate political and civic space, an independent and properly funded electoral institution and credible mechanisms for resolving electoral disputes.
It also urged the government to pursue inclusive dialogue with political opponents, including supporters of detained First Vice President Riek Machar.
The commission said the electoral process is heavily underfunded and warned that violence could prevent some communities from voting.
It also raised concerns over killings, sexual violence, arbitrary detention and other alleged rights violations, and renewed calls for the establishment of the Hybrid Court for South Sudan and other transitional justice mechanisms.
South Sudan gained independence in 2011 and descended into civil war in 2013. A 2018 peace deal between President Salva Kiir and Machar ended the main phase of the conflict, but implementation has been slow and violence has persisted.
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