The Center for Peace and Advocacy has urged the South Sudanese government to implement resolutions from previous governors’ forums ahead of the 8th Annual Governors’ Forum. Executive Director Ter Manyang Gatwech criticized the lack of action on previous resolutions and called for focus on key issues like security, economic opportunity, and the welfare of IDPs and refugees during the upcoming discussions.
On November 23, 2024, the Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA), a civil society organization in South Sudan, urged the implementation of resolutions from the prior year’s governors’ forum held in Juba. This call was made ahead of the 8th Annual Governors’ Forum, scheduled from November 25 to 29. The forum is recognized as the principal policy platform, providing a venue for discussions on various governance issues, economic strategies, security concerns, and avenues for peace.
Ter Manyang Gatwech, the Executive Director of CPA, highlighted the critical need for accountability regarding the prior resolutions, questioning the lack of action by both the office of the president and the governors. He asserted that in 2022, the governors had been entrusted to advance peace initiatives aimed at reconciliation among the fragmented community; however, he noted that neither the 6th nor the 7th Forums’ resolutions had been executed.
Gatwech emphasized that the forum should not be a mere expenditure of public resources, which could otherwise enhance the lives of ordinary South Sudanese. He articulated the primary focus areas for the upcoming forum, which encompass the extension of the transitional period, security frameworks, economic development, the constitutional drafting process, election preparations, the upcoming population census, and the repatriation of South Sudanese refugees as well as the plight of internally displaced persons (IDPs).
He further argued that the political elite must adhere to their commitments and actions to regain the public’s trust on significant national issues. Gatwech pointed out the dire state of poverty affecting a majority of South Sudanese, attributed to insufficient job opportunities provided by the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU). He warned that the absence of decent employment opportunities poses a threat to national security, potentially driving the youth towards contributing to the country’s instability.
Additionally, he called for enhanced collaboration between the government and civil society in fostering peace and addressing these urgent challenges.
The call by the Center for Peace and Advocacy to implement prior resolutions comes as South Sudan prepares for its 8th Annual Governors’ Forum. This forum is a vital platform for leaders to address pressing issues concerning governance, security, and peace, which are critical in a nation still grappling with internal divisions and economic challenges. Past forums have set out ambitious resolutions aimed at national reconciliation and stability, yet their implementation has been lacking. The CPA’s advocacy reflects a growing frustration with political inaction and a desire for accountability in governance.
The Center for Peace and Advocacy’s statements underline the pressing need for the South Sudanese government to honor its commitments made during previous governors’ forums. It is imperative that the resolutions aimed at reconciliation and economic development are acted upon to foster national unity and stability. The upcoming forum provides an opportunity for political leaders to outline actionable strategies and restore public trust, with the acknowledgment that economic opportunities are essential to securing peace in the nation.
Original Source: sudantribune.com
