South Sudan has welcomed Kenya’s offer to support its upcoming electoral process, highlighting both countries’ commitment to regional peace and stability, State House, Juba, has announced.
The country is expected to hold its first general election since gaining independence from the North in 2011. The vote, currently scheduled for December this year, has faced repeated delays, having been postponed six times since the initially planned 2015 election.
On Monday, President Salva Kiir Mayardit received a detailed briefing from a delegation that recently met Kenyan authorities in Nairobi to discuss regional peace, security, and electoral cooperation.
The delegation was led by Presidential Advisor on National Security, Tut Gatluak Manime, and held high-level talks with President William Ruto and other Kenyan officials on matters of strategic interest to both nations and the wider region.
Speaking to the press, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Monday Semaya Kumba, said President Kiir has instructed relevant institutions to follow up on the outcomes of the Nairobi meetings.
The discussions focused on preparations for South Sudan’s elections and broader regional peace and security, with Kenya reiterating its readiness to support the electoral process.
Ambassador Kumba added that the talks also explored ways of deepening bilateral relations between Juba and Nairobi, emphasizing the importance of enhanced cooperation across various sectors.
During the Nairobi discussions, Kenya advocated for inclusive peace talks in South Sudan that would bring together all parties and stakeholders to ensure a credible electoral process and a peaceful transition.
This proposal was discussed in the presence of Tumaini Initiative Chief Mediator, Lazarus Sumbeiywo, whose initiative had been suspended in February last year.
Following the meetings, State House in Nairobi issued a statement confirming President Ruto’s commitment to advancing regional peace and security, noting that strengthening electoral institutions is key to credible and peaceful democratic processes in South Sudan.
