A prominent civil society activist has welcomed the government’s decision to pursue dialogue as a means of resolving political differences, while warning that the credibility of the ongoing Elections Matters Dialogue could be undermined by the exclusion of the SPLM-IO faction led by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar.
Mr. Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), said dialogue remains the most appropriate and peaceful tool for addressing political misunderstandings, particularly at a time when the country is preparing for critical electoral processes.
He emphasized that political disputes should be resolved through inclusive discussions rather than military confrontation.
According to CEPO, all signatories to the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) received official letters confirming their participation in the formation of the Elections Matters Dialogue Committee, and that the invitations issued were identical in content.
However, Mr. Yakani noted with concern that the SPLM-IO under the leadership of Dr. Machar was not invited, while a faction led by Hon. Stephen Par Kuol was instead included.
Mr. Yakani cautioned that this approach risks undermining both the spirit and the letter of the 2018 peace agreement.
The R-ARCSS formally recognizes established signatory parties and their leadership structures, and places strong emphasis on inclusivity, consensus-building, and joint ownership of political processes particularly those related to elections and democratic transition.
“The peace agreement was designed to bring all parties on board in shaping the future of the country,” CEPO said in its statement. “Any process that excludes a recognized signatory risk weakening public trust, legitimacy, and the sustainability of outcomes.”
The activist further stressed that the Elections Matters Dialogue is a sensitive and foundational process that will shape the credibility of the anticipated general elections scheduled for December 2026.
He warned that failure to ensure full participation of all signatories could deepen political divisions and invite disputes over the legitimacy of electoral outcomes.
While reaffirming support for dialogue over violence, Mr. Yakani urged the government and relevant institutions to revisit the composition of the dialogue committee and ensure that all parties recognized under the R-ARCSS, including Dr. Machar’s SPLM-IO, are fully and meaningfully included.
He called on political leaders to uphold the commitments made under the peace agreement, noting that inclusive dialogue remains essential to consolidating peace, restoring confidence among political actors, and guiding South Sudan toward a credible, peaceful, and democratic transition.
