The Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJoSS) election has gone offside after the High Court suspended the vote just days before journalists were due to elect new office bearers.
The elections had been scheduled for Thursday, 17 September, but the court intervention has placed the process on hold amid a dispute over the union’s electoral arrangements and constitutional affairs.
Several executive positions were up for election, including president, secretary general and secretary for finance. Incumbent UJoSS President Patrick Oyet was the only candidate for president and was seeking a second term.
Members of the UJoSS General Assembly welcomed the court decision, saying it provides an opportunity to address what they described as unresolved legal and organisational issues within the union.
In a statement, the Assembly members said they had repeatedly demanded that the Executive Committee resolve the dispute surrounding the union’s Constitution and comply with an order issued by the Registrar at the Ministry of Justice.
They also raised concerns over the formation of the Election Committee, arguing that the General Assembly should be allowed to exercise its constitutional oversight role.
The Assembly further accused UJoSS leadership, including President Oyet Patrick and Secretary-General Majak Kuany, of attempting to proceed with the election without presenting financial and administrative reports to the General Assembly.
The journalists said suspending the election should not be interpreted as opposition to democracy, but rather as an opportunity to ensure that future elections are conducted transparently and in accordance with the union’s Constitution and applicable law.
They called on the UJoSS leadership to comply with the court decision and halt electoral activities until the outstanding constitutional, financial and administrative issues are addressed.
The High Court’s decision leaves the September 17 vote in limbo, with the next steps expected to depend on further legal consideration of the dispute.
