South Sudan’s Yakani elected head of East African Civil Society Organizations’ Forum

ARUSHA, MAY 5, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – South Sudan’s prominent civil society activist Edmund Yakani was on Friday afternoon elected as the President of East African Civil Society Organizations’ Forum (EACSOF) following a three-day meeting.

Yakani who is the Executive Director of Community Empowerment for progress Organization (CEPO)  was elected during a high-level meeting of activists in Arusha under the theme “Harnessing citizens’ prosperity in EAC and AfCFTA integration processes” in Arusha, Tanzania from May 3-5, 2023.

“This remarkable move is for the South Sudanese civil society family,” Yakani said on Friday from Arusha. “I and the rest of the East African Community civil society team will work in the best interest of regional integration processes.”

Yakani is believed to have garnered support from a broad range of stakeholders, given his extensive experience and proven track record in advocating for human rights, good governance, and the rule of law in South Sudan and across the regional community.

The East African Civil Society Organizations Forum is charged with promoting and strengthening the role of civil society in promoting and advancing regional integration and development agendas.

Yakani, the 2017 civil defenders award winner, said he will proactively engage with regional member state governments for successful regional integration for meeting the best interest of East African Community citizens.