Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), has called on the National Transitional Committee (NTC) to urgently convene an inclusive conference to deliberate on the government’s newly unveiled action plan aimed at restoring peace in South Sudan.
Over the weekend, the Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Dr. Martin Elia Lomuro, who also serves as the Secretary General of the High-Level Standing Committee (HLSC) on the implementation of the peace agreement, announced a comprehensive government action plan to accelerate the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
Dr. Lomuro emphasized the government’s commitment to peace and the democratic transition, highlighting the need to resolve leadership disputes within the SPLM-IO by recognizing the legitimate faction that will continue implementing the peace deal.
He also called for national unity and clarity regarding the political structure of the transitional government.
In response, Yakani, in a statement seen by this outlet, urged the government to ensure an inclusive platform where all stakeholders — including signatories to the peace agreement — can fairly deliberate on the proposed action points.
“We are aware that six action points were mentioned by the leadership and members of the High-Level Standing Committee as the way forward,” Yakani stated. “As civil society and signatories to the peace agreement, I appeal to the leadership of the country, particularly the National Transitional Committee, to urgently convene a dialogue among the parties to the peace agreement and stakeholders of the R-ARCSS in an inclusive manner to thoroughly discuss these six action points.”
Yakani stressed that an inclusive conference would provide a critical opportunity to address the ongoing challenges facing the 2018 peace agreement.
“We are witnessing that efforts to consolidate peace are diminishing, while factors driving the country towards full-scale violence are increasing,” he warned. “The leadership must make bold political decisions to create a conducive environment for holding elections as scheduled for December 2026.”
Yakani further urged the government to stop playing political games and instead focus on the sincere implementation of the peace agreement. He called on the parties and the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) to prioritize dialogue.
“My appeal as a civil society member is: dialogue, dialogue now — not tomorrow — to fix the political gaps we are witnessing,” he said.
He also cautioned political leaders against using divisive rhetoric, propaganda, and hate speech that could incite or provoke citizens.
In a separate statement, Ter Manyang Gatwech, Executive Director of the Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA), echoed similar sentiments. He urged leaders to refrain from promoting division among citizens and called on the government to double its efforts in implementing the 2018 peace agreement to bring lasting stability to the country.
