Activist Yakani urges government to de-escalate ongoing violence

JUBA – South Sudan’s prominent activist Edmund Yakani is appealing to the government to provide mechanism for de-escalation of violence in the world’s youngest country during the last meeting of the Council of Minister for the year 2022 slated for tomorrow.

The Council of Ministers is expected to meet for the last time in 2022 on Friday and activist Yakani in a statement extended to Sudans Post calls on the Council to demonstrate political commitment for the full implementation of the revitalized peace agreement and to deescalate the violence.

“Community Empowerment for Progress Organization is urging the council of ministers tomorrow to take serious decisions on mentioned matters of public interested,” CEPO said in the statement signed by its Executive Director Yakani.

“Tomorrow’s council of ministers is critical for making decision that demonstrate political commitment for offering practical and concrete solutions on matters of the implementation of the R-ARCSS/roadmap which have witness serious violation of deadlines, continuity of Rome peace process as Pope Francis is expected to visit the country on 3rd to 5th February, 2023, de-escalation of the ongoing deadly and inhuman violence across the country namely Guumurk Violence, Mangalla Violence, Some parts of Upper Nile state and pocket of deadly incidences in Warrap State among others. The issue of operationalizing the president’s directives on improved civil servants’ salary structure,” Yakani said.

“The year 2023 will be year of constitution making process, political parties’ registration, Transitional justice, preparation for the conduct of general national elections in December 2024.  With all these transitional political process tomorrow’s council of ministers meeting should make concrete decision on embracement of open civic and political space for meaningful inclusive and participatory public engagement.

“The decisions on open civic and political space should be made for enforcement of the presidency instructions to the State Governors, Chief administrators and county commissioners to commit on opening civic and political space communicated by Hon. Minister in the office of the president dated 20th October, 2022 together with the Resolution 14 of the 6th Governors forum as quoted ‘All leaders should tolerate consultative criticism, open political space, freedom of expression and opinion,’” he stressed.

CEPO further urged “the last council of ministers meeting for year 2022 to support H.E. President in finalizing signing of the pending bills, AU Maputo protocol and UN Conventions into force. This will be a great demonstration of political commitment for transitioning the county from violence to peace.”