The Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) has appealed to the United Nations to take decisive action during the upcoming UN General Assembly to rescue South Sudan from a looming political crisis and renewed violence.
Edmond Yakani, CEPO’s Executive Director, described the meeting as a “golden opportunity” for the UN Secretary-General and the Chairperson of the General Assembly to engage with South Sudan’s leadership and address the country’s fragile peace process.
“The Government of South Sudan will be represented by Her Excellency Vice President Josephine Lagu. This is a critical moment for the UN to push for concrete decisions that will help South Sudan transition from violence to peace through the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS),” Yakani stated.
He warned that political stalemate and escalating military confrontations are eroding public trust in the peace deal and risking a return to full-scale war. CEPO emphasized that the UN should prioritize the release of political detainees, initiate inclusive political dialogue among the parties, and establish a clear framework for peaceful, credible elections.
Yakani called for a joint meeting between the UN, African Union, IGAD, and the South Sudanese government to reaffirmcommitments to the peace agreement. “If the R-ARCSS is undermined, the country may return to civil war, and civilians will pay a huge price,” he cautioned.
The activist also stressed the interconnection between peace in South Sudan and Sudan, urging the UN to consider both crises. “You can’t find peace in South Sudan without peace in Sudan, and vice versa,” he added.
As South Sudan grapples with internal divisions and regional instability, the UN General Assembly’s decisions could determine whether the country moves toward lasting peace or plunges back into conflict.
