An activist has raised serious concerns over the stagnation of the peace process in South Sudan, warning that continued delays could plunge the country into a leadership legitimacy crisis.
Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), criticized the warring parties for allowing valuable time to be consumed by conflict instead of focusing on implementing the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
“We are worried that nothing has been delivered from the pending tasks of the peace agreement, while conflict continues to take center stage,” Yakani stated. “We urge the parties to cease hostilities and double their efforts in implementing the agreement to give peace a real chance.”
Yakani made the remarks in a statement extended to media on Saturday. He emphasized the urgency of the situation, particularly with the upcoming general elections scheduled for December 2026, warning that if key benchmarks are not achieved by October 2025, – a deadline just five months away – the country risks entering a dangerous period of political uncertainty.
“If we fail to create the necessary conditions for elections by October 2025, we will face a leadership legitimacy crisis,” Yakani cautioned. “That is why we are appealing to our leaders early enough to act.”
The civil society leader urged the newly reconstituted National Transitional Committee (NTC) to take immediate action by convening an inclusive dialogue with signatories to the peace deal and other key stakeholders.
“I’m repeating my call: the reconstituted NTC leadership must urgently organize a national dialogue and develop a clear, inclusive action plan to deliver the outstanding tasks of the peace agreement,” he said.
highlighting growing pressure from international partners and neighboring countries over the stalled peace implementation, Yakani said “There is already visible pressure from our counterparts in the international community. South Sudan must act swiftly.”
“My appeal to the NTC is to urgently convene an inclusive meeting involving all political parties and civil society representatives, so that we can collectively agree on a realistic implementation roadmap,” he said.
