Implement governors’ forum resolutions, urges civil society body
November 23, 2024 (JUBA) – A South Sudanese civil society organization has called for implementation of all resolutions made during last year’s governors forum held in Juba.
The Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA), on Sunday, issued a statement ahead of the 8th South Sudan’s Annual Governors’ Forum commencing on November 25 and ending on 29 November.
Annually held, the forum is the highest policy platform that brings together policy actors to Juba to deliberate on a wide range of policy issues around governance, economy, security and peace.
The Executive Director of CPA, Ter Manyang Gatwech stressed the need for accountability while questioning why resolutions from previous governors’ forum have not been implemented.
“There is a problem either within the office of the president or among ten governors and three administrators regarding the implementation of the resolutions from the 6th and 7th Governor’s Forums. In 2022, the Governors were tasked with implementing peace initiatives to foster reconciliation among the divided people of South Sudan. However, none of them have implemented any of the resolutions from these forums,” he explained.
Gatwech said the forum should not serve as a platform where government officials waste significant amount of money, which could benefit ordinary citizens if well utilized.
He further emphasized that this year’s governor’s forum should concentrate on the recent extension of the transitional period, security arrangements, economy, the constitutional-making process, elections, the population census, and the repatriation of South Sudanese refugees from neighboring countries, as well as the situation of internally displaced persons (IDPs).
“Political elites must honor their words and actions to earn the trust of the people on national issues. The majority of South Sudanese are subjected to extreme poverty due to the lack of job opportunities created by the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU),” stressed Gatwech
He added, “Without decent jobs, national security is at risk, as many young people are likely to contribute to instability in the country”.
The activist also called for extensive collaboration between the government and the civil society.
This year’s forum will be held under the theme of 8th Governors Forum is “Forging Sustainable Peace: Committed Action in the Extended R-ARCSS Transition”.
(ST)