23/09/2024 (Agence Europe) – On Monday 23 September, the European Union expressed its regret at the decision by the transitional government of South Sudan to further extend the transition period by a further 24 months. The spokesman for the European External Action Service, Peter Stano, stressed the importance of using these two years “effectively to implement the outstanding provisions of the peace agreement, especially as regards a conducive and safe environment for transparent, inclusive and credible elections”. The postponement of the presidential election was made official on Sunday by President Salva Kiir. “While the United Nations will endorse the extension of the transition period, we do so with real regret”, said the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in South Sudan, Nicholas Haysom, on Wednesday 18 September. “It is sadly evident that the country is not ready”, he added. (BD)