South Sudan peace talks plan draws firm warning
Peace partners and civil society stakeholders linked to South Sudan’s 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement say they are ready to publicly name political actors they accuse of undermining dialogue. They present the warning as a deterrent against what they describe as sabotage driven by personal and political interests.
CEPO’s Edmund Yakani speaks for peace stakeholders
In Juba, Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), said the message reflects the position of peace stakeholders, signatories to the 2018 agreement, and South Sudanese women mediators (Standard Zone News). He framed accountability as central to protecting a fragile process.
Inclusive political dialogue set for 19 January 2026
Yakani announced a South Sudanese-to-South Sudanese inclusive political dialogue scheduled to begin on Monday, 19 January 2026 (Standard Zone News). He said the platform is designed to convene political parties and other stakeholders who are rightful signatories to the 2018 peace agreement.
National ownership and non-interference emphasized
According to Yakani, the planned dialogue will be nationally owned and inclusive, with organisers rejecting external manipulation or exclusion (Standard Zone News). The stated aim is to rebuild trust among political actors and help de-escalate renewed violence, using political engagement rather than force as the primary tool.
Renewed confrontations and civilian toll cited
Peace partners said the dialogue is meant to address renewed military confrontations between the SSPDF and SPLA-IO, alongside clashes involving other armed groups (Standard Zone News). They argue the violence has imposed a heavy toll on civilians, sharpening concerns over protection, stability, and social cohesion.
Human rights and humanitarian pressure underpin urgency
Yakani pointed to what he described as widespread human rights violations, a deepening humanitarian crisis, loss of civilian lives, and deteriorating safety and security as reasons to prioritise talks (Standard Zone News). He linked these pressures to the need for credible commitments that can be tracked beyond public statements.
Leaders’ past pledges referenced amid fighting
Yakani recalled repeated public commitments by political leaders that South Sudan would not return to war under their leadership, while noting that fighting has already erupted in parts of the country (Standard Zone News). He said peace partners took on the dialogue initiative after leaders stressed internal resolution of differences.
Organisers signal ‘final opportunity’ and accountability
“We are aware of the spoilers of this dialogue. They are not unknown to us,” Yakani said, describing the process as a final opportunity to proceed without obstruction (Standard Zone News). He added that a similar effort last year was undermined, and said further derailment would trigger public accountability.
Threat to name alleged spoilers among 2018 signatories
“If this dialogue is undermined again, we will take the responsibility to name the spoilers and obstructors among the parties signatory to the 2018 peace agreement,” Yakani said (Standard Zone News). The warning, he argued, is intended to raise the cost of blocking talks and discourage political brinkmanship.
Power rivalry and social suffering highlighted
Yakani accused some politicians of benefiting from continued violence and instability, arguing that citizens bear the cost in deaths, displacement, hunger, and hardship (Standard Zone News). “This violence is making innocent citizens pay a very expensive price with their lives,” he said, questioning leadership that sustains suffering.
Dialogue committee preparations and confidence-building goals
Peace partners said preparatory work is underway, including the formation of a dialogue organising committee (Standard Zone News). Yakani said the dialogue seeks to renew trust and confidence, reaffirm political commitments to the transition, and move the country away from violence toward what organisers describe as sustainable peace.
Warning on party fragmentation and call for political solutions
Yakani cautioned against the deliberate fragmentation of political parties, portraying it as a tactic to divide and control rather than resolve disputes (Standard Zone News). He urged an immediate shift from military approaches to political engagement, asking leaders to place citizens’ lives and dignity above competition for power.
Last-chance appeal to join the inclusive peace dialogue
“We cannot kill our people, turn them into refugees, or let them die of hunger, and then ask them to respect us as leaders,” Yakani said. “Dialogue must replace violence” (Standard Zone News). Peace partners called on all 2018 signatories to accept and participate, calling it a last chance to avert further bloodshed.