Africa-Press – South-Sudan. Civil society activist Edmund Yakani says parties to the 2018 peace deal will launch a joint national political dialogue on December 15 to address outstanding issues and accelerate peace implementation.
Yakani, head of the civil society group Community Empowerment for Progress Organisation (CEPO), said political leaders, including President Salva Kiir, have expressed openness to dialogue as a tool for resolving political differences.
Speaking on behalf of stakeholders and women mediators to the 2018 Peace Agreement, Yakani said the week-long dialogue will bring together signatory parties and stakeholders to find common ground on pending tasks.
He added that consultations have already taken place with all signatory parties and welcomed direct engagements between political leaders to build consensus ahead of the talks.
Yakani noted that holding the dialogue just days before Christmas reflects a positive political environment, with leaders embracing the spirit of dialogue.
He also praised President Salva Kiir’s declaration of support for dialogue as a strategy to resolve political differences.
He said the dialogue is long overdue and expressed hope that its outcomes will deliver peace and stability in the best interest of the citizens.
“We as stakeholders have reached a point where we can confirm that the joint dialogue between stakeholders and parties signatory to the 2018 Peace Agreement will take place next week, from 15 to 19 December.
“This comes after we completed consultative meetings with each signatory party. We are also encouraged by positive developments, as the parties have held one-on-one discussions to build consensus ahead of the upcoming dialogue,” he said.
Yakani also urged political leaders to use the December 15 to 19 dialogue to renew their commitment to implementing the remaining provisions of the 2018 Peace Agreement and transition the country from violence to peace.
He further appealed for a Christmas ceasefire, saying citizens should not experience military confrontations during the festive season.
“We hope that His Excellency the President and the rest of the other oppositional conflicting parties will take a responsibility of declaring a ceasefire for the benefit of the citizens of South Sudan. We can’t be going for Christmas and some of our citizens are witnessing military confrontation among themselves,” he said.
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