SSPDF general’s words ignite fears of widespread civilian killings — Rights group
Human rights activists have raised grave alarm following incendiary remarks attributed to a senior South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) commander, warning that such rhetoric could fuel mass civilian killings and grave international crimes if left unaddressed. The Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) on Sunday strongly condemned statements reportedly made by General Johnson Olony, […]
Activist welcomes dialogue, questions credibility without Machar’s SPLM-IO
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 […]
Peace partners threaten to expose anti-peace politicians
Peace partners and civil society stakeholders signatory to the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement have issued a strong warning to political actors accused of undermining dialogue, vowing to publicly name and expose those they say are sabotaging peace efforts for personal and political interests. Speaking in Juba, the Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress […]
Yakani condemns SSPDF, SPLA-IO interference in Bentiu POC
The Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), Mr. Edmund Yakani, has strongly condemned what he described as deliberate interference by elements linked to the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army–In Opposition (SPLA-IO) in the Protection of Civilians (POC) site in Bentiu, Unity State. He warned […]
South Sudanese activist renews ceasefire call as fighting intensifies in Jonglei
South Sudanese civil society activist Edmund Yakani has renewed urgent calls for an immediate ceasefire and inclusive political dialogue, warning that escalating clashes between government and opposition forces in Jonglei State could plunge the country back into full-scale war. Speaking at the start of the new year, Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for […]
R-ARCSS amendments are political maneuver, not election reform- Yakani
Mr. Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), has strongly condemned the proposed amendments to the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), describing them as a calculated political maneuver rather than a genuine effort to advance election preparedness. Speaking as a stakeholder signatory to […]
Election watch flags missed electoral deadline on constituency announcement
A civil society leader has raised alarm over what he described as the first major violation of South Sudan’s electoral timeline, warning that the failure to announce geographical constituencies by the legally mandated deadline threatens the credibility of the country’s planned 2026 elections. Speaking under the Election Watch initiative, the Chief Executive Officer of the […]
South Sudanese mediators calls for ceasefire ahead of Dec. 15–19 home dialogue
A coalition of national mediators and stakeholders has issued a strong call for a nationwide ceasefire ahead of next week’s long-awaited joint dialogue between stakeholders and the party’s signatory to the 2018 Peace Agreement. The discussions, scheduled for 15–19 December 2025, are expected to bring political actors together for the most significant homegrown peace engagement […]
Activist Yakani confirms delegate lists, sets dates for crucial peace dialogue meetings
Activist Edmond Yakani has confirmed that all major signatories to the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement have submitted their delegate lists ahead of two crucial phases of the national dialogue, set to begin tomorrow (Monday). In a recorded audio shared to Standard Zone News (SZN), Yakani said the stakeholders who signed the 2018 agreement have reaffirmed […]
Yakani gives Kiir deadline to end stalemate or face government collapse
Civil society leader Edmund Yakani has issued a stark warning to President Salva Kiir, saying the government has until 22 December 2025 to resolve the country’s nine-month political stalemate or risk triggering a full collapse of the Revitalized Government of National Unity. Yakani, the Executive Director of CEPO, said the prolonged impasse combined with stalled […]
