President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar. (Photo: Courtesy).

A civil society activist is calling on regional leaders to intensify efforts toward achieving a genuine transition, warning that persistent mistrust and “political spoilers” continue to stall the peace process, as the head of the African Union (AU) High Representative Jakaya Kikwete begins his official visit to Juba.

Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), identified a “deep deficit in trust” among signatories to the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement as a primary obstacle to national stability.

In a scathing assessment of the current political climate, Yakani highlighted several factors undermining the peace deal, including the culture of sponsored military defections and the diversion of national resources.

“The country has resources, but they are diverted to different priorities,” Yakani stated. “The leadership is being influenced by individuals we term ‘spoilers’ of genuine peace. Furthermore, citizens are deterred from demanding accountability because the political class is afraid of it.”

Yakani noted that while regional leaders have attempted to mobilize unity, previous initiatives often failed because they avoided addressing the root causes of the conflict, such as political fragmentation and violations of the standing security arrangements.

Addressing former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete ahead of his arrival in Juba today, CEPO urged the envoy to push for an unconditional and inclusive political dialogue. This dialogue, Yakani argued, must involve all stakeholders, including parties to the Tumaini Peace Initiative.

Key recommendations for the AU mission include:

• Inclusive Dialogue: Bringing all dissenting parties back to the negotiating table.
• Political Freedoms: The release of political detainees to foster a conducive environment for talks.
• Resolution of Status: Addressing the status of First Vice President Riek Machar and his party members in line with the peace agreement.
• Fiscal Accountability: Ensuring public funds are prioritized for peace implementation tasks.

Yakani expressed hope that Kikwete, leveraging the resolutions from the African Union C5 summit, can help rebuild trust among the leadership. He emphasized that the heavy human and economic cost of the prolonged transition is no longer sustainable for South Sudanese citizens.

H.E. Jakaya Kikwete is scheduled to remain in Juba from April 8 to 10, 2026. During his mission, he is expected to meet with President Salva Kiir, First Vice President Riek Machar, and other signatories to advance the implementation of the peace declaration recently endorsed by regional heads of state.