JUBA – South Sudanese civil society and faith-based mediators have rescheduled the inter-party-political dialogue aimed at addressing challenges facing the 2018 peace agreement, to 15-19 December 2025.
The dialogue was expected to begin early in December following the conclusion of consultations, facilitated by South Sudan Women Mediators, Council of Churches and Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO).
CEPO Director Edmund Yakani said mediators have now sent letters to different signatories to the peace deal, inviting them to the talks. Yakani explained why the dialogue was adjourned.
“The parties have requested us to extend it to 15th-19th of December because they want to prepare their documents. Because when we invited them, we told them very clear, straightforward conditions,” he stated.
“We want to make sure that the delegates that will come to represent the parties can make decisions during the dialogue. Because we have seen previously that delegates will come and they say, allow us to go and consult our leadership.”
“We urge the parties to select delegates that are directly having an authority of making decisions during the five days of the dialogue, which is 15th to 19th. As I speak with you now, we’re in preparation for that. The agenda is out and we’re distributing invitations to the parties that will position the delegates.”
Yakani noted setbacks facing the homegrown mediation including divisions among the peace parties including in SPLM-IO and SSOA alliance. He urged leaders to put the interest of the suffering South Sudanese first before their own.
South Sudan faced immense political crises in 2025 when violence and political unrest intensified among the parties since the Nasir violence in March.
The South Sudanese mediators are currently attempting to revive the transitional government by addressing obstacles threatening the collapse of the 2018 peace agreement.