South Sudan Faces Challenges Ahead of 2024 Elections

South Sudan is grappling with a complex set of challenges as it prepares for the December 2024 elections. The world's youngest nation faces concerns over the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict (R-ARCSS), security sector reforms, and a dire humanitarian crisis amidst regional pressures and economic instability.

Why this matters: The outcome of South Sudan's 2024 elections will have significant implications for regional stability and global efforts to promote peace and democracy. A successful election process could pave the way for sustained economic growth and humanitarian recovery, while a failed election could exacerbate the country's crisis and have far-reaching consequences for the region.

President Salva Kiir Mayardit and opposition leader Riek Machar hold differing views on the election process, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the upcoming polls. A veteran politician with experience in both Khartoum and Juba politics described the complex constellation of outcomes open to South Sudan in the lead-up to the elections.

The humanitarian situation in South Sudan remains dire, with an estimated 7.1 million people likely to experience high levels of acute food insecurity between April and July 2024. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is working to support vulnerable populations with essential life-saving assistance. Between January and February 2024, 782,459 outpatient consultations were conducted for essential health services, and skilled birth attendants assisted over 9,687 normal deliveries during the same period.

South Sudan faces regional pressure to hold free and fair elections while also grappling with economic instability. The country is pioneering a groundbreaking initiative to bolster its preparedness for emergencies and disasters, aiming to create conducive environments for sustainable returns and recovery.

The Revitalized Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) is mandated to prepare and submit Quarterly Reports to the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) and the South Sudanese people on the implementation of the R-ARCSS. Article 7.9 of the agreement emphasizes the importance of implementing security sector reforms and other critical aspects of the peace deal.

The South Sudan Cash Working Group (CWG) has initiated the Joint Market Monitoring Initiative (JMMI) to better understand market dynamics and inform cash-based interventions. The government, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and World Vision International South Sudan, has signed a significant agreement towards climate resilience.

As of March 31st, 2024, South Sudan hosts a significant refugee and asylum seeker population, with a registered refugee count of 448,243 individuals across 103,776 households. An accumulated number of 1,328,294 spontaneous refugee returnees have been reported since the signing of the revitalized peace agreement in October 2018.

South Sudan faces a critical juncture as it navigates the challenges of implementing the peace agreement, addressing the humanitarian crisis, and preparing for the 2024 elections. The international community and regional partners will be closely monitoring developments in the country, hoping for a peaceful and democratic transition.

Key Takeaways

• South Sudan's 2024 elections will impact regional stability and global peace efforts.
• President Kiir and opposition leader Machar have differing views on the election process.
• 7.1 million people will face high acute food insecurity between April and July 2024.
• South Sudan faces regional pressure to hold free and fair elections amidst economic instability.
• The country is implementing initiatives to bolster emergency preparedness and climate resilience.