Inter-party political dialogue postponed to 24 September

A planned inter-party political dialogue has been postponed by a week to 24 September, South Sudan’s Ministry of Cabinet Affairs has announced.

The inter-party dialogue was initially scheduled to take place on Thursday, 17 September.

The meeting will begin at 10:00 local time in the main hall of the Revitalised Transitional National Legislative Assembly in the capital, Juba.

In a statement on Wednesday, Cabinet Affairs Minister Martin Elia Lomuro, who is also rapporteur of the dialogue, said political parties taking part in the process had been informed of the new date.

The ministry said leaders and representatives of parties that signed the 2018 peace agreement had been notified.

It also informed diplomatic missions, regional and international organisations, civil society and faith-based groups, as well as members of the public.

No reason was given for the postponement.

The dialogue is part of government efforts to build consensus among political groups and address outstanding issues ahead of elections, according to the president’s office.

It is expected to bring together political parties and groups from across the political spectrum, including those outside the 2018 peace agreement.

However, some major opposition groups have rejected plans to hold the dialogue in Juba.

During separate consultations with a five-member African Union delegation, known as the C5, last month, the United People’s Alliance (UPA), led by Pagan Amum, and the SPLM-IO delegation led by acting chairman Oyet Nathaniel Pierino called for an inclusive political dialogue to be held outside South Sudan at a neutral venue.

It is not clear whether the UPA or SPLM-IO have been formally invited to take part in the dialogue in Juba.

The discussions are expected to cover constituency boundaries and political representation, independent candidates, the timing of elections at different levels, and election and campaign financing.

Other issues include security arrangements for candidates, political rallies and polling stations, as well as the movement and protection of election materials and the transmission of results.

The political space available for campaigning is also expected to be discussed, including freedom of assembly, movement and expression.

Participants are also expected to consider whether voter registration, voting, counting and the transmission of results will use digital or manual systems.

Access for domestic and international election observers, as well as mechanisms for resolving electoral disputes and handling complaints, are also expected to feature.

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