The High Court has suspended the planned elections of the Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJoSS), which were scheduled for Thursday, September 17, following a legal challenge by a section of journalists over the electoral process and the union’s constitutional affairs.
The court’s decision places the September 17 elections on hold pending further consideration of issues raised by the petitioners.
The elections were expected to fill several key executive positions, including President, Secretary General and Secretary for Finance.
Incumbent UJoSS President Patrick Oyet was the candidate for the presidency seeking a second term. The Secretary General position was contested by incumbent Majak Daniel and Ruot George Mut, a former prominent member of the union’s executive leadership.
The journalists challenging the process said they had repeatedly called on the UJoSS Executive Committee to address an ongoing dispute over the union’s Constitution and comply with an order issued by the Registrar at the Ministry of Justice.
They also argued that the UJoSS General Assembly should be allowed to exercise its constitutional oversight role and that the electoral process should adhere to democratic trade union principles.
Some journalists have also raised concerns over the nomination fees and the timeframe provided for the collection and submission of nomination forms, describing the period as too short.
According to the figures cited by the journalists, candidates were required to pay 3.5 million South Sudanese pounds to contest for President, 2.5 million pounds for Secretary General and 1.5 million pounds for Treasurer.
Critics have questioned whether the fees are affordable for ordinary journalists and whether the short nomination period provided sufficient opportunity for interested candidates to participate in the elections.
The concerns have added to growing calls for greater transparency and adherence to the union’s constitutional and electoral procedures.
The Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS) has issued a statement complied with court order suspended its planned elections related activities.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, UJOSS said its National Executive Committee had received the court order and would respect the decision while instructing its lawyers to respond accordingly.
The union said the elections were part of the General Assembly and expressed concern that the injunction had sidelined members of the General Assembly who had already travelled to Juba from across the country.
“Election is an activity within a General Assembly,” UJOSS said, adding that members from all states and administrative areas had already been transported to Juba for the General Assembly.
According to the statement, UJOSS had also booked a venue, procured food and completed other logistical preparations for the General Assembly, including preparations for the elections scheduled for September 17–18.
The union further said that concerns raised by UJOSS members should be addressed through the General Assembly.
Despite suspending the elections, UJOSS said it would proceed with a workshop on “Reporting on Elections”, scheduled for September 16–17 at Gelila Hotel in Juba.
UJOSS President Oyet Patrick Charles said the union would not conduct the elections in compliance with the High Court injunction.
The development comes as journalists prepare for the union’s General Assembly, where several leadership positions were expected to be contested.
