MPs Warn Insecurity Could Jeopardize Elections

South Sudanese lawmakers warned on Wednesday that worsening insecurity could jeopardize preparations for elections planned for December, saying persistent violence has prevented many legislators from visiting their constituencies and raised concerns over whether candidates and voters will be able to move freely ahead of the polls. The concerns were raised during a parliamentary debate on the deteriorating security situation in Tonj, Warrap State, where legislators said violence, poor access to conflict-affected areas and weak law enforcement threaten campaigning and voter participation. Ketura Yola Ambara, an SPLM lawmaker representing the Western Equatoria Women’s List, said insecurity had left many lawmakers unable to travel to the areas they represent, questioning how elections could proceed if candidates could not safely reach voters. … Bol Toby Madut, a lawmaker representing Warrap State under the SANU Party, said insecurity was a nationwide challenge and argued that military operations alone would not end recurring communal violence. … He urged the government to invest in development, employment and community-based peacebuilding, saying idle young people were more vulnerable to cycles of revenge killings and communal conflict. (Radio Tamazuj)