By Bida Elly David
An activist is challenging the new wave of accusations between the SSPDF and the SPLA-IO forces that has marked a foot step of disturbing and violating the implementation of the transitional security arrangements agreed upon.
In a statement extended to No.1 Citizen Daily Newspaper, the Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), Mr. Edmund Yakani said that the accusations between the SSPDF and the SPLA-IO on attacks in Upper Nile causing turmoil to the whole country and threats to the peace agreement.
Mr. Yakani said that it was bad for peace partners to create transpiration of conflict among themselves since it remained a short way to finish the implementation of the R-ARCSS.
“The partners are close to the finishing line of the R-ARCSS implementation on 22nd February, 2023. It will be bad to reach the finishing line without genuine implementation of the transitional security arrangements as one of the key milestones for conducting of free, fair and non-violent elections. Since elections are the end game of implementing the R-ARCSS, without stability security arrangements it will be harder to conduct credible national general elections. The country is tired of violence. R-ARCSS partners give peace chance and demonstrate sense of primary responsibility for making peace prevail,’’ Yakani said
Yakani regarded this new development of accusations as disturbing and demonstrated violation of the recent action plan agreement on the implementation of the transitional security arrangement agreed upon by the peace partners dated 3rd April, 2022 in Juba through mediation of the Sudan Government.
“This trend of negative development is strongly contributing to increasing civilians and friends of South Sudan losing further confidence and trust on genuine implementation of the R-ARCSS by the partners. It is high time for the partners to respect and abide by agreements signed dated 3rd April, 2022,” the statement said.
“The game of dragging feet on genuine implementation of the transitional security arrangements is bad and it is projecting the partners’ lack of political will and commitment for transitioning the country timely from violence to peace. Deadlines agreed upon in the recent deal signed in Juba dated 3rd April, 2022 are not now being respected and honored” it continued.
Yakani said that peace partners are regularly demonstrating hardship for working genuinely for the implementation of the R-ARCSS chapter two. He stated that, it will not be a good image for the nation since top global religious leaders are expected to visit the country in July, 2022.
Furthermore, Yakani urged the leaders of the partners to sincerely deliver the transitional security arrangements timely and genuinely.
“CEPO is urging the SSPDF and the SPLA-IO to critically do something convincing prior to the visit of the top global religious leaders namely His Holiness Pope Francis and His Holiness Justin Portal the Archbishop of Canterbury to South Sudan,’’ the speech read. In conclusion, Yakani stated in the press release that SSPDF and SPLA-IO should respect and honour the recent deal signed in Juba dated 3rd April, 2022 with full responsibility for timely and genuine implementation of the deal agreed upon provisions.