Salva Kiir, the President of South Sudan, announced on Tuesday evening that the head of the National Electoral Commission, Abdenego Akak Kchoul, has been dismissed from his position. This decision comes just three months before the first elections in South Sudan.
Leadership Change in the Electoral Commission
Akak, 71, was appointed as the head of the National Electoral Commission in August 2012 and was reappointed in November 2023 after the commission was restructured under the 2018 peace agreement that ended a five-year civil war. South Sudan has repeatedly postponed elections since its independence in 2011, citing the failure to properly implement the peace agreement as the reason for these delays.
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According to the current roadmap, the transitional government is expected to dissolve on September 22, and elections are scheduled for December 22, before the transitional period ends in February.
Consequences of Leadership Change
Experts believe that the leadership change in the Electoral Commission could impact the electoral process. Ibrahim Koul Nyoun, a political analyst and head of the Graduate School at the University of Juba, stated that this change could complicate preparations, including voter registration. He described the move as a delaying tactic and added, "The people of South Sudan should forget about the December 22 elections."
The new head of the commission will need time to familiarize himself with his responsibilities and make the necessary decisions to complete preparations. Additionally, this action raises questions about the legal process for dismissing the head of the Electoral Commission. The national electoral law outlines a specific procedure for the dismissal of the head of the commission, stating that grounds for dismissal include proven bias, inability to perform duties, and serious misconduct.
Political analyst Boboya James Edmond stated that this decision has failed to meet legal requirements. He said, "The president under South Sudanese law has no authority to exclusively dismiss the head of the Electoral Commission unless precise procedures are followed." This action could add further uncertainty to the electoral process.
The United Nations Human Rights Commission in South Sudan warned last week that elections without necessary guarantees and inclusive political dialogue could lead to renewed conflicts.
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Source: abcnews.com
