The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Information Commission of the Republic of South Sudan, kicked off a two-day seminar on access to information in Juba on Thursday.

The seminar aims to enhance access to information and promote information sharing among the members of the press and the National Electoral Commission in preparation for the upcoming elections in December 2024. Participants were drawn from the media, civil society, the National Electoral Commission (NEC), and representatives from various government and electoral bodies.

Tanaka Hiroyuki, Chief Representative of JICA, stated that JICA recognizes the crucial role access to information plays in achieving sustainable development and fostering good governance.

“We are committed to supporting South Sudan in its efforts to strengthen its democratic institutions,” Hiroyuki said.

Julius Banda, UNESCO’s Country Representative in South Sudan, emphasized the importance of the right of access to information as an invaluable component of democracy, as it goes a long way in facilitating participation in public affairs and is a cross-cutting right that is necessary for the realization of other human rights.

Banda further emphasized equal access to information for everyone which includes bridging the access and digital divide, gender gaps, and use of local languages to ensure that no one is left behind. Proactive information disclosure, creation, preservation, and maintenance of information were also emphasized to ensure the realization of the right of access to information.  

Dr. Yath Awan Yath, Undersecretary Ministry of Information and Telecommunication, stated that the government together with its partners need to work hand in hand to make election-related information available to the citizens.

“We have over 80 radio stations nationwide, when we use them right, all the citizens will have accurate information about the elections,” Dr. Awan said.

For his part, George Lemi Stans Yata,  the spokesperson of the National Elections Commission, in his remarks said that the mandate of the commission is to avail accurate and reliable information for the public about elections-related work, and the commission is committed to ensuring citizens have access to reliable, and accurate information in this regard.

Lemi echoed the importance of Access to Information in this critical time as the country gears toward its first election since her independence from Sudan in 2011.

The role of media is crucial as South Sudan is planning national elections later this year to choose leaders to succeed the current transitional government.