![Activist Edmund Yakani speaks during the ceremony to extend the transitional period for 24 months on August 5, 2022. [Photo by presidency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/296167924_1115103562451035_6690879285386675132_n.jpg?resize=533%2C300&quality=89&ssl=1)
JUBA — A prominent activist has welcomed yesterday’s meeting between President Salva Kiir Mayardit and lawmakers from the Council of States over the escalating violence in most of the country’s states and administrative areas.
On Friday, Kiir met the speaker of the Council of States, Deng Deng Akoon and his deputy, Mary Ayen, to discuss violence in Warrap, Unity, Western Equatoria and Abyei Administrative Area.
The top lawmakers informed Kiir that they have formed committees to go to the states to find out about the insecurity there and report back to the national government for a possible remedy.
Kiir’s top aide, the presidential affairs minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin, called on the states and local government authorities to cooperate with the teams of the Council of States.
In a statement this morning, the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) welcomed the meeting between the president and the lawmakers and the formation of facts-finding committees.
“CEPO appreciate and welcomed the move of the leadership of the council of states for meeting president over the issue of the on going armed political moitiavted inter-communal violence,” the CEPO statement said.
Edmund Yakani, the Executive Director of CEPO, described the move by the Council of States as a positive response to his recent call in which he urged the lawmakers as well as the executive to intervene over the insecurity in various states in the country.
“It is good that the leadership of the Council of States positively responded to our advocacy and call for the role of the Council of States in prevention of violence among the communities. This is great demonstration of leadership,” Yakani said.
“It is time for the Council of States to charge in ensuring that peace and stability prevails in the states. The political leaders are lacking political discipline in administering the public affairs,” he stressed.
The prominent activist further urged the presidency “to response positively to the requires of the council of states. Absence of political discipline and positive attitudes among the political leaders is the factor that subjected the country to continuous deadly armed violence.”