South Sudan lawyers challenge extension of transitional period and election delay

By Benjamin Takpiny

JUBA, South Sudan (AA) - A group of five lawyers in South Sudan has filed a petition in the country’s constitutional court, challenging the extension of the transitional period and the suspension of elections that were scheduled for December this year.

The lawyers—Deng John Deng, Kur Lual Kur, Warnyang Kiir Warnyang, Ador Abraham Kot, and Santo Daniel Deng—submitted the petition on Monday to Chief Justice Chan Reech Madut at the Judiciary headquarters in Juba.

“We are challenging the legality and constitutionality of the extension of the transitional period for 24 months,” Deng told reporters. He argued that the decision to extend the transitional government is both unconstitutional and illegal.

The petitioners are asking the court to declare the extension null and void and to order the government to conduct elections within the originally agreed timeframe.

The case is scheduled to be reviewed on Wednesday.

On Sept. 13, the transitional unity government decided to delay the elections by two years, citing recommendations from election-related institutions and the security sector. The government stated that the additional time is necessary to complete critical peace agreements, including the enactment of a permanent constitution, the unification of forces, and the return of refugees before the next elections.