A leading civil society group in South Sudan has called on the warring parties to seize "the chance" to salvage the 2015 peace agreement and end their political differences in a peaceful way in which citizens should be involved in the decision-making process.
Edmund Yakani, executive director of the non-profit Community Empowerment for Progress (CEPO), said in a statement extended to Radio Tamazuj on Sunday that focus on narrow political interests have cast overshadow on the latest round of peace talks that ended without a peace deal in Addis Ababa.
He further said the only path for peace in the next round of talks is through meaningful compromises between the conflicting political elites.
“We are observing our political elites are now communicating with aggressive voices of no compromise for reaching any peace deal if their political interest and consideration is not properly met by any proposes for peace deal,” he said.
“The conflicting political elites have preferences for addressing their interest first than the general interest of South Sudanese. This is sad moment created by our conflicting political elites,” he added.
The activist pointed out that the fear now is that the political elites may prolong the violence approach to mitigate their political differences. “This means a lot to the lives of civilians and their properties,” Yakani said.
He called upon the warring parties to end violence and adopt non-violent approaches to mitigate their political difference for the sake of peace and development in the country.
“CEPO is petitioning IGAD Special Envoy to South Sudan, AU High Representative to South Sudan, UN Secretary General Special Envoy to South Sudan and Sudan and AU Commission Chair to organize a forum for the principals of the conflicting parties with the aim of lobbying them for key compromises for reaching a peace deal prior the forthcoming IGAD High Level Revitalization Forum 3rd phase,” he said.