Yakani urges leaders to change political attitudes on world democracy day

JUBA – As the world marks International Day of Democracy, South Sudan Activist Edmund Yakani is appealing to South Sudan leaders to change their political attitudes for a smooth transition of the world’s youngest country from violence to peace and democracy.

The United Nations General Assembly in 2007 resolved to observe 15 September every year as the International Day of Democracy. It aims at promoting and upholding the principles of democracy and the UNGA the invited all member states and organizations to commemorate the day in an appropriate manner that contributes to raising public awareness.

In a statement marking International Democracy Day on September 15, Yakani who is the Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) appealed to the leaders to change their political attitudes and work together for the sack of democracy which he said will improve the situation in the world’s youngest country.

“CEPO take this opportunity to remind South Sudanese leaders that 15 September is International Democracy Day. In joining the global community in commemorating marking the International Democracy Day CEPO is urging our leaders to sincerely have political attitudes changes for working together under the R-ARCSS to transition our society from violence to peace,” Yakani said.

The prominent activist said that “Democracy is an instrument of actual use of social contract between government and their citizens for better societal life for realization of genuine human growth and development.”

“The political leaders of South Sudan since the April 2010 national elections prior to the independence of South Sudan from the rest of Sudan, dishonored democratic transformation and best practices for social contract between government and citizens,” he said.

The activist said human rights situation since the outbreak of war has deteriorated and ensued in a regime of elites’ political culture that he said has undermined transition of the world’s youngest country from violence to democracy.

“The break out of the mid-December 2013 armed violence brill today was clear demonstration of our political elites’ fear for democratic practices to determine political power transfer from one player or group to another player or group,” he said.

“The dragging of feet in genuinely and timely implementation of the R-ARCSS provision since 12 September 2018 till today was practical indicator that demonstrates political attitudes among various political establishments in South Sudan fear for political check and balances through the peace agreement genuine implementation,” he added.

“This 15 September 2022 international democracy day should be a day for our political leaders to renewal their political pledge for transitioning the country from violence to peace through implementing the required democratic transformation as provided by the provisions of the R-ARCSS. The political culture of undermining the practical of democratic transformation is a key factor for sustaining political armed Violence in human society,” he stressed.

The activist further urged leaders to respect democratic values of public governance and urged the parties to the revitalized peace agreement to come out publicly to address the nation on the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement.

“CEPO is urging political leaders to respect democratic values of public governance and citizens should take their constitutional responsibility for demanding their leaders and representatives in the governor to honor, respect and obey practice of democratic transformation especially in conflict situation like in our country South Sudan,” Yakani said.

“CEPO is urging the parties to the R-ARCSS to address the nation on the international day for peace and provide clear strategy for making peace prevail in South Sudan through the genuine implementation of R-ARCSS,” he added.