CEPO Director Edmund Yakani | Photo: Awan Moses/Eye Radio.

Renowned South Sudanese activist Edmund Yakani has been elected president of the East African Civil Society Organisation’s Forum (EACSOF), a seat that he will hold for one year.

Yakani, who is the Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) was chosen during the East African Civil Society Summit held in Arusha, Tanzania from May 3-5, 2023.

“This remarkable move is for the South Sudanese civil society family. I and the rest of the East African Community civil society team will work in the best interest of regional integration processes,” Yakani said according to CEPO statement.

The annual summit brought together over 300 representatives from regional civil society organizations, institutions and organs, as well as EAC partner states, academia and development partners from the region.

The event under the theme: “Harnessing citizens’ prosperity in EAC and AfCFTA integration processes” is to amplify citizens’ voices and concerns above important matters in order to complement government’s initiatives and speed up development within the region.

Yakani, the 2017 civil defenders award winner, said he will proactively engage with regional member state governments for successful regional integration for meeting the best interest of East African Community citizens.

The East African Civil Society Forum  was established in 2007 as the premier platform organization that brings together civil society organizations in the East Africa region.