Watchdog ‘disturbed’ by manipulation of reforms provided for in revitalized peace deal  

JUBA – A South Sudan civil society watchdog has expressed concerns over disputes by the parties to the revitalized peace agreement over claims that some reforms which are to be implemented under  the Political Parties Act 2012 (Amendment Bill 2022) are being manipulated.

Last month, a parliamentary sitting passed the political parties act amendment bill, but the National Democratic Movement (NDM) led by Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin rejected it, and accused the SPLM-IO and the SPLM-IG of altering some of the reforms proposed by the National Constitutional Amendment Committee (NCAC).

But the SPLM-IO on Saturday said the SPLM faction led by President Salva Kiir Mayardit is behind the manipulation of the reforms that were supposed to be passed inside the Political Parties Act of 2012 (Amendment Bill 2022).

In a statement, the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) said it was disturbed by the developments regarding the manipulation of reforms by the parties and stressed the importance of the role of the NCAC.

“Community Empowerment for Progress Organization is disturbed and worried by the recent altering of the proposed reforms in any legislation, policy and institution by the National Constitution Amendment Committee (NCAC). NCAC is an entity that is inclusive and mandated by the R-ARCSS to deliver the agreed upon proposed policy and institutional reforms,” said the advocacy group.

Edmund Yakani, prominent activist who also doubles as the Executive Director of CEPO said “products of NCAC on reforms agenda of the R-ARCSS should be trusted by the parliamentarians in accordance with R-ARCSS article 1.18.1 read together with article 1.20.2.”

“In case some parliamentarians want to drop any proposed reform by NCAC, then the parliamentarians with new idea should absolutely embrace the principle of consultation and consensus building with the other peace partner’s members in accordance to R-ARCSS articles 1.14.9 and article 1.14.10,” Yakani stressed.

“This is the spirit of implementing the R-ARCSS. Any decision by one of the parties signatory to the R-ARCSS outside the spirit for implementation per R-ARCSS articles 1.14.9, article 1.14.10 read together with article 1.18.1 is a totally violation of the R-ARCSS. Further, it is a clear demonstration of mistrust against other peace partners,” he added.