CEPO Calls for Renewed Commitment to Peaceful Elections in South Sudan Following Christmas Celebrations
The Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) welcomed the peaceful celebration of Christmas across South Sudan, despite witnessing several isolated incidents during the festivities. Notably, the recent gathering of leaders at the presidential residence stood out as an impressive display of unity and collaboration.
Mr. Edmund Yakani, the Executive Director of CEPO, expressed hope that the discussions among leaders at the presidential house would emphasize renewing their political commitments aimed at ensuring a successful transition process that could create conducive conditions for credible and peaceful elections slated for December 2026.
“In the context of South Sudan, elections are now the viable path towards a peaceful political transition,” Yakani stated. He pointed out the entrenched political culture characterized by rigidity, intolerance, and a notable lack of political will among the elite, which has hindered genuine commitment to democratic processes. The evidence of this stagnation can be seen in the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS); after five years, less than 20% of the mandated tasks have been completed, with nearly half still pending.
Yakani underlined the critical need for elections in December 2026, stressing that by October 2025, all necessary requirements must be in place to create a favorable environment for the electoral process. He identified essential tasks such as judicial reforms, unification of armed forces, constitutional development, and decisions around decoupling the elections from the population census as pivotal to ensuring a credible electoral framework.
“Political leaders must intensify their efforts in early 2025 to establish a conducive atmosphere for the elections,” Yakani urged.
In conclusion, CEPO is calling on the presidency to extend an official invitation to the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) for assistance in forming an electoral support and protection team. This collaboration would work alongside the National Elections Commission to ensure the administration and management of credible and peaceful elections. CEPO emphasized the importance of establishing these international partnerships to foster public trust and confidence in the electoral process.
As South Sudan continues to navigate its complex political landscape, the commitment to a peaceful transition remains a paramount objective for both leaders and citizens alike
