CEPO Strongly Condemns Abduction of Activists in Yei River County, Calls for Urgent Action

The Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) has issued a vehement statement denouncing the recent abduction of two dedicated civil society activists in Yei River County, Central Equatoria State. John Kenyi Santino, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer for Rural Women for Development, and his colleague, Mandela Stephen, an Extension Worker for the same organization, were forcefully taken on September 5, 2024, from Logo along the Yei-Maridi Road.

Expressing grave concern over the situation, Edmond Yakani, the Executive Director of CEPO, emphasized the urgent need for the safe return of the abducted individuals.

“This is a total violation of human rights, an act of shrinking civic space, and an attempt to undermine peace and stability in the country,” Yakani declared, highlighting the severity of the incident.

Calling on the responsible party to ensure the safety and security of the activists, Yakani urged government intervention and a comprehensive investigation into the abduction.

“We call upon the government to investigate this matter promptly. Additionally, we seek support from international human rights bodies such as the UN Human Rights Commission for South Sudan and the Human Rights Council in Geneva to aid in locating these missing activists,” he stressed.

Yakani underscored the gravity of the situation by asserting that such actions constitute a crime against humanity, warranting swift accountability for the perpetrators.

“Those who committed this abduction are violating fundamental principles of humanity. Justice must prevail, and those responsible will be held accountable for their actions,” he stated firmly.

The abduction transpired during a critical juncture of political transition as South Sudan progresses with the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS). CEPO remains resolute in its commitment to advocating for human rights, peace, and justice during this pivotal period.