Juba, (UNipod Hall University of Juba) – 8 October 2026– During One South Sudan Peace Conference, Mr. Edumud Yakani Voices for Peace Building called on young people, political parties, voters, traditional authorities and religious leaders to promote unity, peaceful dialogue and national cohesion ahead of the upcoming elections.
Speaking on behalf of citizens, a representative of the (Edumud Voices for Peace) urged South Sudanese to commit themselves to a peaceful country. Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) representative Edmund Yakani emphasized the importance of political dialogue that brings South Sudanese together rather than deepening divisions.
Yakani urged voters to make informed choices during the elections and reject corruption, tribalism and nepotism. He stressed that candidates should be assessed according to their commitment to nationalism, public service delivery, accountability and national unity.
Reflecting on past political failures, Yakani noted that disagreements among political leaders have contributed to violence, while some political agreements have failed to deliver peace and prosperity to ordinary citizens. He called on voters to choose leaders committed to lasting stability and the well-being of the population.
Yakani also highlighted the important role of religious leaders in peacebuilding, proposing direct dialogue between religious figures and politicians to address displacement and other pressing national challenges.
Addressing traditional authorities and religious leaders, he further called for peaceful disarmament and encouraged communities to shift their focus from weapons and conflict towards agriculture as a way of tackling hunger and improving livelihoods.
Representing partner organization CEPO, the Yakani announced plans to establish “a Citizens’ Peace Council” to help hold political leaders accountable to the people and strengthen citizens’ participation in peacebuilding.
Concluding his remarks, Yakani appealed to South Sudanese to embrace a shared national identity and avoid blaming particular ethnic communities whenever the country faces difficulties. Using an example from a national basketball match, he underscored the importance of collective identity and solidarity, urging citizens to confront national challenges together as one people.
The conference emphasized the need for inclusive political dialogue, responsible leadership, peaceful elections and stronger cooperation among citizens, political leaders, traditional authorities and religious institutions to promote lasting peace and stability in South Sudan.
https://cepo.org.ss/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/HWPL_Report_One-South-Sudan_Oct08_1.pdf
