Yakani Calls for Peace and Civic Responsibility Amid Political Transition in South Sudan
Juba — In a passionate address, Mr. Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), urged the political elites of South Sudan to maintain peace and stability during the ongoing transition period leading to the appointment of a new governor for Warrap State. Speaking as a “voice for peace,” Yakani called for a collective commitment to respect civic and political spaces as the nation navigates these pivotal changes.
“I like this opportunity, with due respect and honor, to raise my voice loudly as a voice for peace,” Yakani stated, emphasizing the importance of a calm reaction to the political developments. He cautioned against arbitrary actions that could lead to violence, urging all stakeholders to work within the parameters set by peaceful governance. “We are disturbed a bit. We are shocked with the trend of the development, but we hope that this development is aiming towards a positive outcome that will bring peace and stability,” he said.
Yakani expressed his belief that the political situation should be fixed through peaceful means, advocating for a stable environment that supports human and societal development. “We will never impress violence, but we’ll make sure that we fix our political situation to remain stable and peaceful for the better future of generations to come,” he asserted.
In a related message, Yakani addressed the South Sudanese public, emphasizing the need to refrain from hate speech, misinformation, and hostile propaganda during this transitional period. “I urge South Sudanese to abstain from promoting hate speech, misinformation, disinformation, hostile propaganda, and fake news as our country undergoes a political transitional process,” he urged, recognizing the risks associated with power shifts and the potential for violence.
Yakani reflected on the unique challenges posed by political transitions, advocating for an environment of respect for human rights and the rule of law. “We should learn from those incidents on how to embrace open political and civic space,” he said, warning that panic arising from political developments could lead to the spread of damaging narratives.
He also called upon the country’s leadership to avoid actions that could be perceived as humiliating or dismissive towards political actors, stressing that clarity is essential to dispelling panic and preventing the manipulation by adversaries of peace. “Enemies of peace and stability in the country will take advantage of lack of proper explanation and clarity on some of the political events within the political transitional period,” he cautioned.
Yakani concluded his remarks by underscoring the importance of managing political disagreements in a non-violent manner to ensure a smooth transition for South Sudan. “Let’s stand to make sure that any political disagreement is managed in a non-violent manner within the political transitional period,” he urged, calling for unity and understanding as the nation moves forward.
As South Sudan embarks on this critical journey, the emphasis on peace and responsible civic engagement is more crucial than ever.
