Civil society Community Empowerment for Progress Organization has hailed neighboring Kenya and Sudan for their proactive role in sustaining peace in South Sudan.
This came after a meeting between Kenya’s Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Deputy Chairman of the Sudan Transitional Sovereignty Council, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo in Nairobi on 9th January.
“Sudan and Kenya have promised to play their role in sustaining peace and stability in neighboring South Sudan. This is the renewed pledge that we are expecting from IGAD leadership,” said Yakani in a statement on Tuesday in Juba.
“Now the ball is in the playfield of the South Sudan parties for renewal of political commitment for timely and genuine implementation of the adopted roadmap for implementing the pending over 30 tasks of the R-ARCSS,” he added.
Yakani said there are high chances that the implementation of the roadmap will face the same challenges observed in the last pre-transitional and transitional periods if the parties to the revitalized peace agreement do not demonstrate political commitment.
The parties are still yet to complete the graduation of the 83,000 unified forces, enactment of new constitution and formation of institutions under the justice and accountability chapter of the peace deal.
“South Sudan leadership at the Presidency should allow this proposed IGAD head of states and governments summit on South Sudan situation by the Kenya president for the end of January, 2023 to be held in Juba,” he said.
CEPO said it is proposing the IGAD head of states and government summit be held in Juba.
South Sudan descended into conflict in December 2013 following political dispute between President Salva Kiir and his then deputy Riek Machar leading to soldiers loyal to the respective leader to fight.
The 2015 peace agreement mediated by the Inter-governmental Authority on Development with support of international partners collapsed in the wake of renewed violence in July 2016.
The 2018 revitalized peace deal remains the only solution for durable peace and security in South Sudan.
