Stakeholders reconvene in Juba
In Juba this week, signatories to South Sudan’s Revitalized Agreement gathered for a two-day retreat, striving to revive a deal stalled since 2018.
The forum, brokered by the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization and supported by UNMISS, included clergy, scholars, youth, women and business leaders who jointly issued a communique pledging an “inclusive, South Sudanese-led political dialogue” to break the impasse.
CEPO’s blueprint for inclusive dialogue
CEPO Executive Director Edmund Yakani framed the move as a chance to “nurture a South Sudanese-driven, inclusive political dialogue” capable of restoring trust among rival signatories.
Yakani said bilateral meetings with each party would precede a broader convention, allowing grievances to surface privately before public negotiations resume.
Regional diplomacy and next steps
Organizers intend to lobby IGAD, the African Union and the United Nations, hoping external guarantors reinforce domestic efforts and dissuade spoilers.
Diplomats in Juba privately welcome renewed activism, yet caution that previous timetables faltered despite robust mediation drives.
Missed deadlines haunt electoral calendar
The revitalized agreement envisioned a unified army, a permanent constitution and elections; each benchmark is considerably behind schedule.
General polls are pencilled for December 2025, but security sector reform and constitutional drafting lack a clear roadmap, analysts note.
Civil society voices reinforce inclusivity
Religious leaders such as Rt. Rev. Dr. James Ninrew Dong say faith communities can “bridge mistrust” by offering respected, non-partisan platforms.
Women’s Bloc representative Maria Gideon Gakmar argues broad participation safeguards gender priorities once post-war institutions take shape.
Youth delegate Patrick Godi stresses that young voters, the majority of the population, require visible progress to keep faith in ballots over bullets.
Outlook for a fragile peace
Observers agree the next fortnight could set the tone: either a concrete timetable emerges, or the stalemate endures, risking election delays and renewed insecurity.