A civil society activist has urged the government and parties to the peace agreement to intensify efforts in ending ongoing violence across the country to avoid another extension of the transitional period beyond 2026.
Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), called on the government to address renewed violence in Upper Nile State and other parts of the country, warning that continued conflict threatens preparations for the anticipated first ever elections.
His remarks come amid escalating armed confrontations between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO), including clashes involving the White Army aligned with the latter.
Yakani expressed concern that critical pending tasks such as the unification of forces, among others, remain unfulfilled, while parties instead engage in armed conflict, cautioning that such confrontations could derail the roadmap toward elections.
“This new wave of fighting is consuming the time meant for fulfilling key requirements for the conduct of elections,” Yakani said. “It is damaging the timeline for the December 2026 elections, where the deadline for implementing core tasks is October 2025.”
He reminded leaders that the timeline for creating conducive conditions for the 2026 elections is fast approaching, with only limited time left to act.
“We are saying any extension of the transitional period is unacceptable. There are only two options: if elections are not held in 2026, then the current government’s mandate ends, and an interim government must be formed. If leaders want to go for elections, then the violence must stop now,” he stated.
Yakani appealed to all parties in conflict to cease hostilities, stressing that the elections are the end goal of the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement.
“If this violence, which recently flared up, continues through May or into June 2025, we fear the country will not be ready to create the necessary conditions for the 2026 elections,” he said.
He added that the foundational tasks such as the unification of forces by October 2025, drafting of the permanent constitution, decisions on population census, and voter registration must begin immediately.
“By now, the parties should have been seriously engaged in implementing the remaining provisions of the peace agreement. Instead, they are entangled in renewed deadly confrontations,” Yakani said.
“As we approach May, we are witnessing pockets of deadly violence between the White Army and the SSPDF, and in other locations involving the SSPDF. This is seriously undermining efforts to create a conducive environment for elections.”
Yakani condemned the ongoing violence in Upper Nile State and urged the warring parties to immediately cease hostilities.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan has raised alarm over the country’s rapidly escalating crisis, calling for urgent and coordinated action to protect civilians and preserve the Revitalized Peace Agreement – the foundation of South Sudan’s fragile stability.
