Prioritize security arrangement, South Sudanese parties urged

September 16, 2024 (JUBA) – South Sudan’s parties to the peace agreement should prioritize the security arrangement during the transitional period extension, a civil society group said Monday.

The Center or Peace and Advocacy (CPA) stated that the unification of the necessary unified forces be completed within the first three months of the transitional period.

“The second priority is the creation of a permanent constitution, expected to take 8 months. The third priority is conducting a national population census, which should take three months”, the civil group said in a statement also extended to Sudan Tribune.

Also a priority, it noted, is the repatriation of South Sudanese refugees from the internally displaced peoples’ camps in neighbouring countries.

“[Other] Additional issues that require attention include improving the economy, upholding human rights, and reinforcing the rule of law. These matters are essential for the international community to help restore trust, as accountability and transparency remain significant concerns for the citizens of South Sudan”, the statement stressed.

Last week, South Sudan’s parties to the September 2018 peace agreement extended the transitional period till 2026. The decision was reached during a meeting President Salva Kiir held with his deputies, cabinet members and advisors in Juba.

South Sudan’s Cabinet Affairs minister, Martin Elia Lomuro said extending the transitional period will enable implementation of the remaining provisions of the peace deal.

In August 2022, peace parties also signed a two-year extension of the transitional government, citing the need to implement critical tasks in the 2018 peace agreement.

(ST)