A leading South Sudanese civil society group expressed dismay over remarks made by the information minister at a rally in which he threated civil society organizations participating in the peace forum in Addis Ababa.
Minister Michael Makuei made strong remarks against civil society groups recently at a briefing on peace at Nyakorun Cultural Centre in Juba where he accused them of supporting the opposition.
Edmund Yakani, executive director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), said in a statement extended to Radio Tamazuj that the civil society groups have constitutional rights to question South Sudanese actors on their actions.
He pointed out that the civil rights defenders are interested in non-violent approaches to the ongoing conflict in the country.
“It is an unfortunate statement labeling civil society as actors that take side. Yes, some civil society may take side but this does not mean that all civil society organizations have taken side,” Yakani said.
Meanwhile, the South Sudan Civil Society Forum said it is also deeply dismayed by Makuei’s remarks.
The group said it does not accept the notion that only those with guns or political ambitions have the right to participate in the peace process.