CEPO calls for concrete UN action on South Sudan political transition

JUBA – The Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) has urged the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to take decisive action during its upcoming meeting on South Sudan, scheduled for August 14, 2024.

The meeting will address the stalled implementation of the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) and the country’s human rights situation.

In a statement on Monday, CEPO’s Executive Director Edmund Yakani emphasized the need for “concrete and practical decisions” to address the slow progress in South Sudan’s political transition.

“The majority of South Sudan’s political leaders have a significant deficit in trust and confidence for working together to transition the country from instability to stability,” he stated.

The civil society watchdog highlighted several key issues for the UNSC’s consideration, including the success of the Tumaini Peace talks in Nairobi, the status of amendments to the controversial National Security Service Act, the feasibility of holding elections on December 22, 2024, and the unification of forces.

The group also called for addressing climate change-related challenges, such as floods, which could lead to violence and human rights violations, as well as the release of political detainees in line with commitments made under the Tumaini initiative.

It stressed that the UNSC meeting should offer “functional proposals” to ensure a genuine and implementable transitional process in South Sudan. He also warned that “peace spoilers” are hindering progress by misinforming the country’s leadership, exacerbating the ongoing political and economic challenges faced by the citizens.

The Tumaini peace talks, initiated by Kenyan President William Ruto, have made progress, but have faced resistance from some leaders within South Sudan’s incumbent transitional government of national unity.

CEPO urged the UNSC to support the outcomes of these talks and to help create the necessary conditions for a successful political transition in South Sudan.

The statement concluded by urging the UNSC to “sincerely make some concrete decisions” that would not only aid South Sudan’s political leaders in engaging in a timely political transition but also apply constructive pressure on them to deliver a successful process.