Take peace implementation seriously this time, Yakani tells Kiir, Machar

JUBA — South Sudan Activist Edmund Yakani has urged President Salva Kiir Mayardit and his first deputy Dr. Riek Machar Teny to take the implementation of the peace roadmap seriously.

Last month, Kiir and Machar signed a peace roadmap effectively extending the transitional period from 22 February next year for at least twenty-four months in order to enable implementation of pending provisions of the revitalized peace agreement.

There has been doubts from members of the public that the extension will not bring new as the leaders have failed to implemented the peace agreement for three years.

In a statement this morning, the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization Edmund Yakani urged Kiir and Machar to be serious on peace implementation so as to deliver promises made in the peace roadmap.

“CEPO call upon the president and first Vice President to demonstrate serious practical steps for taking the roadmap of R-ARCSS implementation genuine,” the CEPO said in a statement signed by its Executive Director Edmund Yakani.

The outspoken activist further urged the leadership of the country to open up civic space, saying it is crucial for the country’s transition from violence to peace.

“Political will should be demonstrated with practical actions such as opening of political and civic space, allocation of funds for the  roadmap implementation, graduation of the unified forces, delivering the public finance reforms, enactment of laws before the parliament and reconstitution of the essential Institutions with direct mandate on political parties legitimacy, facilitation of citizens driven constitution and conduct of free and fair elections,” he added.

Yakani further said the “These tasks should be deliver during the remaining timeline between September 2022 to February 2023.”