Activist urges IGAD to push for peace in South Sudan, Sudan

The Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) has asked the Inter-governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in its 41^st Extraordinary Session to push for peace in South Sudan and Sudan.

“The 41^st Extra-Ordinary Session of the IGAD Assembly Head of states and Government in Djibouti scheduled for 9^th December 2023 is a greater determiner of IGAD’s practical decision for securing peace and stability in Sudan and South Sudan,” said Yakani in a statement issued in Juba on Thursday.

He said IGAD leaders will win or lose the trust and confidence of member states if the regional body makes decisions that foster strategic approach for securing inclusive peace and security in Sudan and South Sudan.

South Sudan is currently struggling to complete the implementation of the 2018 revitalized peace agreement signed to end years of conflict, while it’s neigh Sudan is currently mired in conflict that has killed more than 5,000 people and displaced millions both internally and xeternally.

Yakani revealed that IGAD is facing real threats of losing functional states and government due to the ongoing deadly violence in Sudan, adding that the implementation of the revitalized peace by South Sudan parties remains slow.

“The government is really dragging feet on implementing pending tasks in timely and genuine manner, the slow implementation of peace by the Transitional Government of National Unity is disturbing and worrying,” he said.

“IGAD heads of states and governments on 9^th December 2023 will be watched keenly on their decision on the pathway of securing peace and stability by some of its member states mainly from Sudan and South Sudan,” he added.

Yakani urged IGAD leaders to act on several recommendations provided by the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) for effective implementation of the pending tasks under the 2018 revitalized peace deal.

 “Finally, CEPO is urging IGAD leaders during the 41^st  Extra-Ordinary session of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of states and Government in Djibouti to respond to our calls to make concrete decisions for securing peace and stability in Sudan and South Sudan,” he said.