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

Civil society activist Edmund Yakani has welcomed Vice President James Wani Igga’s call for dialogue and stability made during the commemoration of the 43rd Anniversary of SPLA Day on Saturday.

Yakani, who is the Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), praised the Vice President for responding positively to calls for peace and national dialogue.

“I would like to take this opportunity with high respect to welcome the call for dialogue and stability made by His Excellency Vice President and Chairperson of the Economic Cluster, Dr. James Wani Igga, during the commemoration of the 43rd anniversary of the SPLA Day,” Yakani said.

He thanked the Vice President for acknowledging that peace and stability are essential for the country’s progress and economic recovery.

“The only option we have in front of us without any excuse or rejection is that we should embrace an inclusive dialogue without precondition for resolving the political differences or misunderstandings that we have witnessed since 2013,” he stated.

Yakani, however, expressed concern that “profiteers of violence” and “spoilers of peace” could undermine genuine dialogue efforts for their personal interests instead of prioritizing national peace and stability.

He stressed that dialogue should involve all competing parties coming together inclusively and without preconditions to find amicable solutions to their differences.

The activist also highlighted the worsening economic pressure facing the country, saying South Sudan cannot recover economically without peace and stability.

Yakani further appealed to political leaders both in government and opposition to heed a message delivered by a seven-year-old child during the celebrations.

“The message conveyed by the child was: ‘Replace bullets with Janjaro. Replace bullets with Janjaro.’ This is a very strong message to political leaders,” he said.

According to Yakani, the child’s message symbolizes forgiveness, reconciliation, and the urgent need for inclusive dialogue to resolve political disputes peacefully.

“My fear as an activist is that the profiteers of violence and spoilers of peace may turn these important calls into nonsense and fail to act on them,” he warned.

Yakani reiterated that sustainable peace and stability can only be achieved through inclusive dialogue involving all parties.

“Bullets will never bring peace and stability. Dialogue will concretely deliver peace, stability, and economic recovery for the best interest of the citizens of South Sudan,” he concluded.