Promise on Paper: Why South Sudan’s peace deal fails to protect children
Christine was 17 when she stood among a group of 22 children released from the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces in the village of Rimenze, about 30 kilometres from Yambio, in Western Equatoria State. Christine is not her real name. For years, her life had revolved around survival rather than childhood. Recruited as a child, […]
Kiir repeats peace pledge at AU summit
President Salva Kiir Mayardit has once again pledged to restore peace and stability in South Sudan and Sudan as he joined fellow African leaders at the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa. The gathering marked the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government. Held under the theme “Assuring Sustainable Water […]
Yakani urges Kiir to act on Kenya’s ceasefire and dialogue call
CEPO Executive Director Edmond Yakani has urged President Salva Kiir to act on Kenya’s call for a ceasefire and inclusive dialogue, warning that South Sudan’s transition remains fragile without decisive leadership. Yakani was responding to official statements issued after President William Ruto’s meeting with South Sudanese government representatives, in which Kenya called for an immediate […]
Governor Lobong directs local leaders to lead grassroots peacebuilding
Eastern Equatoria State Governor Louis Lobong Lojore has called on county commissioners, city mayors and local administrators to take the lead in grassroots peacebuilding, stressing that sustainable stability begins at the community level. Speaking on Thursday at the opening of a one-day leadership forum in Torit, Governor Lobong said local leaders are the first point […]
Mundari leaders seek peace, unity in Terekeka ahead of festival
Mundari community leaders, elders, youth and women have convened a two-day peace and unity dialogue in Terekeka County, aimed at strengthening internal cohesion and preventing conflict ahead of an upcoming cultural festival expected to draw large gatherings from across the community. The dialogue, which opened Monday, is being led by community and youth leaders with […]
Cultural peace festival unites communities in Wulu
The communities in Wulu County of Lakes State are witnessing a new dawn as the cultural peace festival champions unity and togetherness among the locals in the area. For years, tensions and divisions among clans and sections have quietly grown across various parts of Lakes State, threatening long-standing traditions of harmony. In response, the Rumbek […]
How women’s grassroots peace efforts end decades-long cycle of violence in Tonj North
For decades, Tonj North County in Warrap State has been a battlefield of revenge, where gunfire replaced dialogue and mourning became a way of life. The cycle of cattle raids and counterattacks tore families apart, leaving women widowed and children orphaned. But when violence seemed unstoppable, it was the women, the mothers, widows, and sisters, […]
Stakeholders convene to address critical gaps in peace agreement and democratic transition
A National Stakeholders’ Consultative Dialogue is currently underway in Juba, gathering over 80 representatives from government, civil society, faith-based institutions, and development partners. The three-day forum from 19-21 November 2025 aims to address implementation gaps in the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) and chart a […]
Civil society warns of Gov’t legitimacy crisis over constituency review delays
A civil society signatory to the 2018 peace deal has warned that failure to review electoral constituencies on time could spark a legitimacy crisis for the government ahead of the 2026 polls. In a statement delivered under CEPO’s Pre-Election Domestic Observation Initiative, Executive Director Edmond Yakani cautioned that the government and political parties who signed […]
Dinka Malual and Arab nomads renew commitment to peaceful coexistence
Authorities in Aweil East County have concluded a two-day post-migration peace conference aimed at reinforcing peaceful coexistence and cooperation between Arab nomadic groups and the Dinka Malual community living along the shared border region. The forum, organized by the State Ministry of Peacebuilding with support from NRC and UNMISS, brought together government officials, traditional leaders, […]
