Publicize information regarding planned Kiir-Machar meeting, Uganda told

JUBA – A South Sudanese activist has told the government of Ugandan to avoid keeping information regarding planned peace meeting between President Salva Kiir Mayardit and his first deputy Dr. Riek Machar Teny, from the public domain, saying ‘silence or secrecy’ about the important peace meeting demoralize the public on the entire peace process.

In a statement on Sunday, the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) said the planned peace meeting between the two SPLM rival leaders is crucial in the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement, but making details regarding the meeting to the public was important to keep the people’s confidence in the process.

“This proposed retreat is timely and essential for generating concrete decisions for transitioning the country from violence to peace. This proposed South Sudan leaders retreat should be urgently done. Community Empowerment for Progress Organization is calling for transparency in this process. It is essential to keep the public informed about the process for the South Sudan Leaders retreat in Uganda,” the CEPO statement signed by Edmund Yakani, the group’s Executive Director, reads in part.

“Silence or secrecy about the proposed retreat is demoralizing to the public. CEPO with respect is urging the Uganda leadership to engage in public information about the proposed South Sudan leaders retreat in Uganda,” Yakani said, adding that “the move by Uganda President is impressive and timely for securing concrete decision for transitioning the country from violence to peace.”

“It is important for the Uganda leadership to keep South Sudanese regular and accurately informed about the proposed leaders retreat. Public information about the proposed South Sudan Leaders retreat is sealed and keep away from public information media channels being in South Sudan or Uganda. This is disturbing.”

The statement further added that “South Sudan Leaders should take the proposed Ugandan retreat serious and as only opportunity at hand for renewal of pledge for successful transitioning of the country from violence to peace through the genuine implementation of the R-ARCSS.”

“The decisions that will be reached during the Uganda proposed retreat for South Sudan leaders should be centered on the followings matters; genuine transitional security arrangements implementation with effective consensus on unification of command and ranks, effective DDR for easing unified forces graduation; proper preparation for conducive environment for conduct of non-violent elections.

“This includes enactment of political and electoral related laws and reforms of political and electoral institutions with effective commitment for unrestrictive civic space for civic engagement; commitment to further engage for effective financial and economic reforms and making decision on matter of Refugees and Internal Displaced Persons participation in the political process.

“CEPO is urging Uganda President to influence the parties’ security and defense forces to respect the ceasefire agreement. Recently serious violation of the ceasefire agreement were registered

“CEPO is urging the leadership of the parties invited to the proposed Uganda leaders retreat to disclose to the public information about the process of the retreat in terms of when is it happening and what is the agenda of the deliberations. Finally, CEPO will continue advocacy and lobbying for the genuine implementation of the R-ARCSS.”