SOUTH SUDAN: Outgoing Nuncio to South Sudan Questions Country’s Preparedness for Elections
Outgoing Apostolic Nuncio HE. Herbatus van Megen
Ginaba Lino
The outgoing Apostolic Nuncio who was appointed Pope’s representative for South Sudan in 2019 has questioned how the country is to hold its General Elections within the five months remaining, yet no preparations have been done so far.
In his interview with Catholic Radio Network, Archbishop Hubertus Van Megen said, he finds it hard to understand how South Sudan is going to organize general elections in December while they are now at the beginning of August and anything has happened yet.
“I, first of all, say very frankly, I find it hard to understand how you are going to organize Elections in December, while we are now at the beginning of August and hardly anything has happened yet, how is that exactly going to work.”
The outgoing Apostolic Nuncio continues, “I find it hard to believe! Even in a developed country, it would be very difficult to put off; and in a country like South Sudan with all the geographic challenges, the lack of infrastructure, it will be even more difficult.”
“For me, there are very many question marks on that because I do not see how that is exactly going to work,” he further said adding that South Sudan is currently facing an enormous economic crisis, and it would get worse before it gets any better.
The Vatican diplomat described the election as the most expensive exercise that a country like South Sudan can hardly afford relating to the current economic crisis.
The Nuncio emphasized, “Besides economic crises that have resulted from the shutting off the oil refinery, the country lacks essential features of elections, including lack of political space, insecurity, and civic education, among others.”
“Is it the right time, in this kind of profound crisis to organize elections, which by the way cost a lot of money, when you have an economic crisis in any country. It creates also a kind of political instability,” Van Megen questioned.
The Pope’s representative also said there are many political questions that one would have to ask, especially the credibility, fairness, and transparency of the election if it is held as planned on 22nd December 2024.
“If you are going to organize these elections, it’s fair enough to find out if they are going to be fair and transparent. Who is going to participate in this election? Who will come to the voting stations? Who is going to vote there? Is that one real representation at that point? So these are all like political questions one would have to ask,” he asked.
The South Sudan electoral commission announced that the election would be held on 22nd December this year.
