Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), has urged South Sudan’s leaders to recommit to the peace process following the closure of some foreign embassies in Juba.
In a statement shared with this outlet, Yakani described the recent decisions by some diplomatic missions to shut down under the guise of budget cuts as a reflection of the government’s failure to implement the 2018 peace agreement.
“I am quite sure the closure of these embassies—our transitional friends—is a clear expression of great disappointment,” said Yakani. “Why disappointment? Because we’ve seen slow progress in transitioning the country from war to peace, and our leaders must take responsibility.”
Yakani emphasized that continued inaction and delays in implementing the peace agreement are damaging South Sudan’s international reputation and risking further political isolation.
“They cannot continue financing or engaging with us if our leaders are not serious about peace,” he added.
The activist called on all parties to the peace agreement to rethink their strategy and adopt a new, more effective approach to restore confidence among international partners.
“I appeal to our leaders to change their strategy regarding the transitional political process. Dragging our feet in the peace implementation will only result in more isolation from our traditional allies,” Yakani warned.
His remarks come in the wake of the Netherlands’ announcement that it will shut down its embassy in Juba as part of a broader restructuring of its diplomatic missions, aimed at cutting €25 million from the Dutch foreign ministry’s budget. The Netherlands becomes the second country to close its embassy after Germany temporarily shut down its mission in March, citing security concerns.
While Norway resumed operations at its embassy in Juba this month following a brief closure, other countries, including the United States, have reportedly considered scaling back their diplomatic presence in South Sudan.
The Netherlands has been a steadfast supporter of South Sudan since its independence in 2011, contributing to peacebuilding and development efforts for over a decade. Yakani warned that losing such key partners could have long-term consequences if political leaders fail to act swiftly.
