By Kei Emmanuel Duku
Executive Director of the Community Empowerment Organization (CEPO), Edmund Yakani, has condemned and expressed deep concern over the ongoing decline of civic space in the country.
His remarks come in the wake of the recent abduction of two civil society activists in Yei River County, Central Equatoria State.
John Kenyi Santino and Mandela Stephen, staff members of Rural Women for Development, were taken by an unidentified group of armed men last week while conducting a routine field visit along the Yei-Maridi Road.
Yakani said that since their abduction, there has been no information regarding the aid workers’ whereabouts, and the perpetrators have not provided any justification for their actions.
“I would like to take this opportunity to strongly demand that those responsible for the abduction ensure the safety and security of these individuals,” said Yakani.
He added that the arrest of the two Activists was a total violation of Human Rights an act shrinking civil space that undervalued the country’s peace and stability and called upon the abductors to ensure the safety of activists operating the various parts of the country.
However, Yakani appealed to the Government of South Sudan, the United Nations Human Rights Commission Council in Geneva, and Ceasefire, Transitional Security Arrangement Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM) the body tasked to monitor the implementation of the South Sudan Peace agreement to carry out an independent and thorough investigation to help identify the way the two abducted Activists in Yei River County.
He further added that those found guilty of committing crimes must be held accountable before the courts of the law.
“Those who abducted the two Activists should know that they are committing crimes against humanity and they will not go unpunished. Such actions only highlight the need for restrictions against individuals who undermine the safety and security of others for their motives, whether political or not,” he added.
He concluded that adduction happened when the country was in a critical stage of implementing the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolutions of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan and stakeholders, both in government and non-signatories to the Peace Agreement, needed to respect Human Rights.