A leading South Sudanese civil society organization has urged the African Union to lobby for the inclusion of the 5-member IGAD Plus consisting of Nigeria, South Africa, Chad, Algeria and Rwanda to support the regional IGAD-led talks in implementing peace in South Sudan.
In a statement seen by Radio Tamazuj, Edmund Yakani, executive director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) hailed the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) for meeting them on Wednesday in Juba.
“CEPO is calling upon AUPSC to be pro-active on the agenda of peace and security in South Sudan since AU has Ad Hoc Committee of five members namely Nigeria, South Africa, Chad, Algeria and Rwanda to support IGAD in implementing peace in South Sudan,” the statement reads in part.
“Time has come for AUPSC to demonstrate its strengthen and energy for pushing South Sudan negotiating parties to reach sustainable peace than temporary peace in South Sudan,” CEPO said.
On Monday, the visiting AUPSC said it fully supports the National Dialogue process in South Sudan and urged all parties to the conflict and peace process to make development and peace a priority for the people of South Sudan.