South Sudanese Lawyers Challenge Election Postponement, Citing Constitutionality

A group of lawyers in South Sudan has filed a legal challenge against the government’s decision to postpone elections for two years, arguing the move violates the country’s constitution, Bloomberg reports.

The elections were originally scheduled for December.

The postponement, announced on September 13, drew immediate condemnation from international donors who expressed concerns about the lack of progress in establishing conditions for credible and inclusive elections.

“We are challenging the legality and constitutionality of the extension of the transitional period for 24 months,” Deng John Deng, one of the five lawyers who filed the suit at the Supreme Court, told reporters in Juba on Monday. “This extension is unconstitutional and is illegal, and we are demanding our government to conduct elections within the time frame.”

The government’s decision to delay the elections comes amidst a severe financial crisis stemming from a damaged oil export pipeline in neighboring Sudan. The pipeline, situated in a conflict zone, has halted oil shipments, crippling South Sudan’s already strained coffers.

President Salva Kiir justified the postponement, stating that it would allow for the implementation of crucial provisions outlined in the 2018 peace accord, including the drafting of a new constitution, a national census, and the registration of political parties.

However, the United Nations has warned that a mismanaged election process could trigger further violence in the already fragile nation and the surrounding region.