SPLM-DC: No elections before peace

The leader of Minority in the National Legislative Assembly is urging the people of South Sudan not to accept any elections before peace agreement is signed.

Onyoti Adiego, who was addressing a news conference in Juba yesterday, said the priority is to bring lasting peace to the country, not to conduct elections.

“For us and that is our opinion, that the policy of the government of trying to go for elections, I think we say there is no elections when there is no peace in the country. Peace is paramount for South Sudan, but it is not position that you want to legitimize your position so that you think that you have been voted for by the people. I think it will not be acceptable and nobody should accept such elections and we will be calling upon all South Sudanese that there is no election without peace, peace is number one.” He said.

Last week, the Council of Ministers approved a 517-million US dollar budget for general elections, which are due to be held in July next year.

The opposition political parties urged the government to stop the war in order to ensure free and fair elections.

The government says elections must take place by July next year in order to guarantee its legitimacy.