CEPO urges President Kiir to spearhead inclusive dialogue
By James Chatim
Civil society activist Edmund Yakani has appealed to President Salva Kiir to spearhead an inclusive dialogue that comprises opposition parties and the political detainees.
Yakani’s appeal comes following President Kiir’s statement during the reopening of parliament last Wednesday, where the head of state called on opposition groups still outside the peace process to join the path of reconciliation and national unity.
The activist also appealed to the president to release the First Vice President who has been under house for months as well as former national security director saying it would be a right gesture for reconciliation.
“I’m appealing to His Excellency the President, dialogue must continue. The following suggestion that I would like to throw to the table to impress dialogue. One aspect is that let all political detainees be free so that the dialogue will be all inclusive. Freeing political detainees is not an insult. It is not a demonstration of weakness but an expression of an attitude of embracing inclusive political participation. It is also about embracing political divides in terms of opinion and perception among political actors all political detainees that are detained, whether in a detention cell or under house arrest, should all be free,” Yakani stated.
“And that’s why I’m appealing to you Excellency the President, freeing First Vice President, freeing the former Director of National Security, and other political detainees and opposition members could have shown a good gesture that dialogue is going to be very is inclusive. And of course, our message also goes for those who will be free, but let us impress no revenge attitudes. Let’s embrace an attitude of sorting out our political differences and misunderstanding to meet the best interest of South Sudanese citizens,” he added.
“Yes, we know you have personal grievances, but the moment has come for you to do political compromises for the best interest of the citizen, which is safety and protection of the citizen, and ensuring that peace and stability is an overall objective that none of us will undermine, fight or will jeopardize,” Yakani highlighted.
He further stated that there is need to merge the 2018 peace agreement (R-ARCSS) with the Nairobi-led peace process Tumaini to increase political inclusivity, and open a door for sorting out some of the new emerging political issues that may not be adequate.
Yakani said Tumaini will not only bring together the holdout groups but also enhance the inclusivity and effectiveness of the R-ARCSS.
