CEPO Urges South Sudan Holdout Groups to Embrace Nairobi Peace Talks for Political Stability

Nairobi, 10th May, 2024 – In a bid to foster lasting peace and stability in South Sudan, the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) is urging the holdout groups to actively participate in the ongoing Nairobi peace talks. Following in the footsteps of the successful Rome Peace talks in the Vatican, the Kenyan government has taken on the responsibility of facilitating a genuine political process aimed at resolving the longstanding differences between the government and various holdout groups.

Mr. Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of CEPO, emphasized the importance of political maturity and discipline among all parties involved in the peace mediation process. He highlighted the need for a focus on the core political issues causing instability, rather than personal interests or grievances. Yakani stressed the significance of approaching the negotiations with a positive attitude towards political opponents, without seeking to gain dominance through the peace process.

Acknowledging the absence of key groups such as Gen. Thomas Cirillo’s NAS and Emmanuel Ajawin’s NDM-PF, Yakani encouraged their leadership to send delegates to demonstrate their commitment to achieving political stability for the benefit of the South Sudanese citizens.

The call for inclusivity and a peaceful negotiation environment free from intimidation or harassment was echoed by CEPO. The organization emphasized the necessity of building trust and confidence among all parties involved to ensure the eventual implementation of a concrete and tangible peace agreement.

CEPO pledged to closely monitor the progress of the mediation process, advocate for inclusivity, and keep citizens informed and engaged in influencing the peace talks. The organization emphasized the need for a genuine focus on finding political solutions to the crisis at hand, rather than becoming mired in power struggles or unattainable democratic ideals.

As the Nairobi peace talks continue, the hope remains that all conflicting parties will prioritize the well-being of the South Sudanese people and work towards a sustainable peace agreement that will bring an end to years of political turmoil and suffering.