South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Aluong Maker Aluong
A South Sudanese human rights activist and executive director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) Edmund Yakani, praised the United Nations (UN) Security Council on Thursday for renewing the mandate of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
The Security Council voted to extend UNMISS’s mandate for another year, now lasting until April 30, 2026.
This decision was made during the council’s 2779th meeting on May 8, 2025.
“I would like to take this opportunity to appreciate the leadership of the United Nations Security Council in renewing the mandate of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS),” Yakani told the media in a statement seen by Dawn on Friday.
Yakani said that renewing the U.N. mission in South Sudan will foster durable peace.
“The mandate includes key pillars that we have been advocating for; the issue of protection and safety of civilians is still very important,” he said.
He emphasized that the mission plays a crucial role in reducing communal violence and rebuilding the social fabric of the communities to promote social cohesion.
“We are very pleased that through the renewed mandate of UNMISS, elections are being promoted as the only viable option for transitioning South Sudan from war to peace,” he said.
Yakani insisted that elections are essential for achieving peace in the country.
“The only way we can empower citizens to decide on political leadership is not through a peace
agreement,” he stated, highlighting the need for citizens to exercise their democratic rights in choosing their leaders.
He also stressed the importance of creating favorable conditions and an atmosphere for credible and peaceful elections scheduled for December 2026.
“This transition from war to peace requires strong leadership, political commitment, and the will to demonstrate a commitment to holding elections,” he concluded.
