Africa-Press – South-Sudan. A civil society activist Edmond Yakani is calling on President Salva Kiir to mark the Christmas and New Year holidays by declaring an immediate ceasefire and granting clemency to political detainees.
Yakani, the Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), argues that such a move would demonstrate the government’s commitment to peace and provide a much-needed reprieve for citizens during the holiday celebrations.
He appealed on Christmas Eve, emphasizing that a presidential declaration of peace would demonstrate a genuine commitment to national reconciliation and restore public confidence in the transition process.
Speaking to Eye Radio in Juba, Wednesday, Yakani urged the President to mark the festive season by ordering the release of political detainees.
He specifically named former Vice President and Chairperson of the Economic Cluster, Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel, and the former Director General of the Internal Security Bureau, General Akol Koor Kuc, alongside detained members of the SPLM-IO.
“We add our voice to the call made by religious leaders,” Yakani stated. “We hope the message from His Excellency for the December 25th celebrations includes a decision to release these detainees and a formal declaration of a ceasefire so we can begin true reconciliation.”
Beyond the festive appeal, the CEPO leader raised critical concerns regarding the implementation of the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement (R-ARCSS).
He warned that recent moves to amend the agreement, make constitutional changes, and schedule elections for December 2026 require a broad consensus rather than unilateral action.
Yakani stressed that any proposal affecting the spirit of the peace accord must secure the consent of all signatories and receive formal endorsement from the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) before being passed by the National Transitional Legislative Assembly.
The activist highlighted several major hurdles facing the planned 2026 polls, including persistent insecurity, inadequate funding for electoral institutions, and the lack of a conducive political environment.
He concluded that only an inclusive political dialogue, supported by “goodwill gestures” such as the release of prisoners and a cessation of hostilities, can provide a viable path toward lasting stability and a successful democratic transition.
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