CEPO has urged the South Sudanese Presidency to effectively implement the remaining tasks of the R-ARCSS, emphasizing the need for timely funding and regular meetings. Edmund Yakani expressed concerns that self-interested individuals may hinder progress, jeopardizing the upcoming elections scheduled for December 2026. The focus is on ensuring accountability and facilitating a credible electoral process amid ongoing political challenges.
The Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) has called upon the Presidency of South Sudan to facilitate the effective implementation of the remaining responsibilities outlined in the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS). In a statement addressed to Radio Tamazuj, CEPO’s Executive Director, Edmund Yakani, emphasized the need for the Presidency to provide timely and sufficient funding for the R-ARCSS processes, especially during the two-year extension period of the transitional government. Mr. Yakani cautioned that if the Presidency continues its previous approach, the prospects for conducting credible, free, fair, and peaceful elections in December 2026 would be significantly diminished. He stated, “The Presidency needs to seriously undertake its primary responsibility and duty of holding regular meetings for aiding the genuine implementation of the pending tasks of R-ARCSS in the extended transitional period.” Furthermore, Mr. Yakani expressed concern that certain individuals with self-serving interests may have undermined the Presidency, leading to setbacks in addressing key chapters of the R-ARCSS. CEPO intends to closely observe the performance of the Presidency over the next two years, especially to identify government leaders who may be obstructing the comprehensive realization of the R-ARCSS. Originally, South Sudan was set to conduct its inaugural General Election in December 2023; however, this has been rescheduled to December 2026 due to insufficient preparations. This delay has intensified frustration among international observers regarding the political leadership in South Sudan, particularly between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar, whose longstanding discord has repeatedly hindered the electoral process.
The Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) is an entity focused on advocating for good governance and political stability in South Sudan. The Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) emerged as a peace deal aimed at mitigating the ongoing conflicts and guiding the country towards a stable governance framework. Following continuous political turmoil and a lack of readiness for elections, the timeline for South Sudan’s first General Election has been postponed, raising concerns about the effectiveness and engagement of the current leadership. CEPO’s recent statements reflect a growing urgency for accountability and action from the Presidency to fulfill its commitments under this agreement, as the international community watches closely.
In conclusion, the call from CEPO highlights significant concerns regarding the implementation of vital political agreements in South Sudan. By stressing the need for the Presidency to provide essential support for the R-ARCSS, the organization seeks to ensure that forthcoming elections are conducted fairly and transparently, avoiding the pitfalls of the past. Monitoring the government’s actions in this extended transitional period will be crucial to ascertain whether South Sudan can achieve the much-delayed political stability necessary for credible electoral processes.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org