CEPO South Sudan

23/05/2026

Civil Society Leader Applauds Government’s U-turn on Key Peace Agreement Clauses

Edmund Yakani, who leads the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), has voiced strong approval of the government's recent move to keep Articles 8.1, 8.2, and 8.3 of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS). These provisions, he notes, uphold the 2018 peace deal as the supreme legal framework for the country’s transition.

According to Yakani, the decision to retain these articles did not come out of nowhere. It was a direct result of persistent pressure and behind-the-scenes discussions led by civil society groups and other key players in the peace process. In his view, the government’s reversal shows that advocacy can work when stakeholders speak with one voice.

Had the cabinet chosen to scrap those three articles, Yakani argues, the very foundation of the Revitalized Government of National Unity would have been called into question. He believes that removing them would have effectively stripped the current unity government of its legitimacy and undermined the entire peace architecture painstakingly built since 2018.

“It is a welcome development that the cabinet finally chose to leave Articles 8.1, 8.2, and 8.3 untouched,” Yakani said. He added that safeguarding these clauses is not just a legal technicality. It is a matter of honoring commitments made to the South Sudanese people, who have endured years of violence and displacement.

The CEPO chief further emphasized that any attempt to weaken the supremacy clause of the 2018 agreement would have opened the door to renewed distrust among signatories and derailed implementation of key benchmarks, including security arrangements and transitional justice.

For now, Yakani called on the government to go a step further, not only by protecting these articles on paper but also by fully implementing the spirit of the peace deal in practice. He warned that keeping the text intact means little if the actions on the ground continue to contradict the agreement’s core principles.

12/05/2026

CEPO’s Edmund Yakani has welcomed new U.S. visa restrictions on those undermining South Sudan’s peace process, calling the move "remarkable, encouraging, and a strong push for political accountability."

He urges other international partners including African governments to follow suit, stressing that accountability is key to ending decades of conflict. 🇸🇸🤝🇺🇸

Courtesy photo

09/05/2026

Mr. Edmund Yakani, who leads CEPO, praised a recent statement from U.S. official Nicholas G. Checker urging South Sudan’s leaders to restart peace talks among the original signatories of the R-ARCSS. Yakani believes this appeal, if taken seriously, could steer the country in a more positive direction.

He emphasized that Checker’s visit to Juba especially after the UNMISS mandate was renewed carries real weight and should not be ignored. Yakani called on the government to commit to the full, unconditional implementation of the peace agreement.

CEPO also expressed pride that its own advocacy efforts are helping push the nation away from violence and toward stability. Finally, Yakani warned parliament against altering the R-ARCSS without following proper channels through RJMEC, noting that Checker’s message shows strong international backing for peace in South Sudan.

30/04/2026

CEPO and UNMISS break ground on peace ministry building in Rumbek

On Tuesday, a new office building for Lakes State’s peacebuilding ministry got underway in Rumbek. The project is a joint effort between the state government, the United Nations mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), and the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO)
Funding comes from UNMISS through its Quick Impact Projects scheme, with CEPO handling the actual construction work.

Daniel Laat Kon, who heads CEPO’s activities in Lakes State said, this building will make a real difference. He explained that it gives the ministry a proper base to roll out peace efforts across the region.
Pictures taken from .

16/04/2026

🚨 CEPO Demands Action: Police Video of Stamp Use for Data Entry Sparks Outrage

The Executive Director of CEPO, Mr. Edmund Yakani, is calling on South Sudan's Ministry of Interior to investigate a viral video allegedly showing abuse of power by police officers.

According to Yakani, such actions at checkpoints especially along the Juba–Nimule route are squeezing citizens and foreigners alike.

Failure to act, CEPO warns, will only deepen public distrust and harm South Sudan’s reputation.
Photo Courtesy.

11/04/2026

Statement from CEPO.

Date: April 11, 2026 – Juba, South Sudan.

Subject: The Executive Director of CEPO is NOT arrested, social media claims are false.

Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) wishes to address false information currently circulating on social media claiming that our Executive Director has been arrested.

This claim is completely untrue. Our Executive Director has not been arrested and remains free, going about his legitimate duties.

We urge the public, partners, and all stakeholders to disregard the rumor and refrain from sharing unverified information that could cause unnecessary alarm or damage reputations.

Thank you for your continued support.

Khamis Cosmas Lokudu
Head of the Media Department
Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO)

09/04/2026

. April-9th -2026 Juba, South Sudan

Mr. Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress organization (CEPO), has praised the recent high-level talks between H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit and AU Envoy H.E. Jakaya Kikwete, calling the meeting an important move toward resolving South Sudan's political standoff.

Additionally, CEPO has reiterated its dedication to increasing public understanding of AU resolutions and strengthening citizens' ability to hold both the government and the African Union accountable so as to guarantee a peaceful, transparent, and timely electoral process.
Courtesy Photo

09/04/2026

: This content is shared from and is not owned by this page. All intellectual property rights remain with the original source. This share is for informational purposes only.

🔴 BREAKING NEWS

Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization, has called on Jakaya Kikwete to deliver clear outcomes following his peace mission visit to Juba.

Yakani urged Kikwete—serving as a special envoy to the Horn of Africa—to publicly brief South Sudanese citizens on the results of his meetings with political leaders, civil society, and key stakeholders.

He emphasized that while the visit has been “fruitful and remarkable,” South Sudan needs tangible results, including renewed political will, inclusive dialogue, and commitment to implementing African Union resolutions aimed at transitioning the country from violence to peace.

Yakani also highlighted major challenges threatening the planned December 2026 elections, including:

Ongoing insecurity

Weak implementation of the 2018 peace agreement

Funding gaps for the National Election Commission

Tight legal deadlines ahead of June 2026

He stressed that national consensus and a sustained ceasefire are essential for credible elections and lasting peace.

Kikwete is expected to conclude his visit to Juba soon, with growing calls for transparency on the next steps toward stability in South Sudan.

Follow SS24 for more updates.

01/04/2026

from the Malakal Policy Dialogue, titled "Now or Never". A critical discussion on the political conditions needed for credible elections in South Sudan. Credit to Deng Bol for the Video clip. 📷

31/03/2026

31st-March-2026-Juba,South Sudan.

The 3rd Policy forum meant for the policy paper titled "Now and Never? Political Conditions for Credible Elections in South Sudan" concluded this afternoon in Juba.

The forum was organized by the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), Centre for Inclusive Governance, Peace and Justice (CIGPJ), and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES), with financial support from the European Union.

Discussions revealed varying perspectives among participants. During the morning session in Juba, attendees raised concerns about insecurity in parts of the country and its potential to hinder credible elections.

Earlier forums held in Malakal Town (Upper Nile State), Wau Town (Western Bahr el Ghazal State), and Juba (Central Equatoria State) also saw participants express that going to the polls remains the only way for citizens to elect leaders they can hold accountable.

Members of Parliament, Members of different political parties, Government stakeholders ,Members of Civil Society Organizations,Chiefs, women leaders, persons with disabilities and Youth leaders attended the discussions in all the locations visited by

What are your thoughts on the country’s readiness for the elections scheduled for December 2026?

25/03/2026

- 25th March 2026 – Wau Town, Western Bahr el Ghazal

As South Sudan navigates the extended transition period toward the planned 2026 elections, the nation stands at a critical juncture. The path to this historic vote remains threatened by unresolved logistical challenges and ongoing insecurity in parts of the country.

In response to this complex context, Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), in partnership with the Center for Inclusive Governance, Peace and Justice (CIGPJ) and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES), with funding from the European Union, convened a two-day policy dialogue in Wau Town.

The forum brought together policymakers, civil society representatives, and community leaders to discuss a draft policy brief on the electoral process.

The policy dialogue focused on identifying and analyzing critical gaps in election preparedness aimed at transforming data and real-world insights into a policy brief to guide the way forward. With the timeline to 2026 quickly shrinking, participants noted that key
pillars for credible elections remain unaddressed.

The gathering, which commenced on 25th March 2026, provided a structured platform to map these gaps with precision, consolidating
data, getting technical expertise, and on-the-ground realities into a concise policy brief aimed at informing the next steps.