CEPO Urges President at UN General Assembly to Address Key Concerns for Peaceful Political Transition in South Sudan

Amidst growing concerns over the timely and genuine implementation of the pending tasks of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) is calling on the president to use his presence at the United Nations Security Council General Assembly as an opportunity to secure a peaceful and stable South Sudan.

According to Mr. Edmund Yakani, the Executive Director of CEPO, the presence of the president at the General Assembly provides a unique platform to demand the demonstration of primary political responsibility for securing a successful political transition in the country.

Highlighting the deficit in trust and confidence in the presidency as a significant challenge, CEPO emphasizes the need for consensus on the preconditions for the conduct of the national general elections proposed for December 2024, as well as a renewed political pledge for genuine implementation of the R-ARCSS pending tasks.

CEPO has identified several key concerns that require urgent attention from members of the United Nations Security Council General Assembly.

These concerns include the redeployment of the first graduated unified forces and the roll-out of phase two training, graduation, and redeployment of the United forces.

Additionally, the reconstitution of political transitional institutions such as the political parties council, National Elections Commission, and the National Constitutional Review, including the ratification of crucial acts such as the National Elections Act, 2012 (amendments), the National Security Act, and the NGOs act, are deemed vital.

Furthermore, CEPO stresses the importance of speedy enactment of transitional justice legislation and the establishment of the hybrid court for South Sudan to address persistent issues of accountability.

Public finance management reforms and transparency in oil revenue usage and environmental concerns are also key areas that need immediate attention. Lastly, CEPO advocates for an open civic and political space to ensure a conducive environment for the expected national elections planned for December 2024.

Through their calls for action, CEPO aims to create awareness and mobilize support within the United Nations Security Council General Assembly, urging them to address these concerns and assist in securing a peaceful and stable South Sudan.

By leveraging the platform provided by the president’s presence at the General Assembly, CEPO hopes to find consensus and pave the way for successful implementation of the R-ARCSS pending tasks, ultimately leading to sustainable peace and prosperity for South Sudan.