Arms embargo on South Sudan crucial for civilians’ safety, says Yakani

JUBA, APRIL 13, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – The Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) Edmund Yakani has said events unfolding in some parts of the country such as the emergence of new rebel alliance are justification for continuation of arms embargo.

“The increase in the growth of gun class and increase in the clashes among informal armed group across the country are actually justifying that it is importance of having arms embargo from the United Nation Security Council as a last resort option for securing civilians’ protection,” Yakani said.

The prominent South Sudanese activist who has won award for peace advocacy also criticized unnamed regional actors facilitating flow of weapons to armed groups inside South Sudan, saying that it undermines the impact of sanctions and the arms embargo.

“Entraining merging of armed groups through facilitation of some regional member state government actors is also undermining the importance of the arms embargo,” Yakani stressed.

The activist urged the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Council of Ministers to take the political transitional process in South Sudan seriously. He emphasized the need for the genuine implementation of the R-ARCSS.

“CEPO is urging the expected IGAD Council of Ministers scheduled in Juba to take place on the 18^th of April 2023 should really take serious stock on the political transitional process in South Sudan through the genuine implementation of the R-ARCSS,” he said.

Yakani also highlighted the risks to regional peace and security if the transitional security arrangements, reconstitution of political transitional institutions, conduct of general national elections, transitional justice, and proposed reform agenda in the R-ARCSS are delayed.

“Transitional security arrangements delayed, reconstitution of political transitional institutions for constitution making, conduct of general National Elections and Transitional justice delayed and proposed reform agenda in the R-ARCSS delayed, this is risk for regional peace and security agenda,” he said.

The activist further called on political elites with grievances to use dialogue to resolve their differences rather than resorting to armed struggle.

“CEPO is urging political discontented elites including group of political elites that have political grievances kindly opt to use dialogue as a tool of resolving are your political difference. The population and the country are tired of arm struggle,” he said.