JUBA – The Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) has raised serious concerns over South Sudan’s political trajectory, warning that the country could be sliding back to a full-scale war.
The alert comes in the wake of the trial of First Vice President Riek Machar, leader of the SPLM/A–In Opposition, in connection with the March 2025 violence in Nasir.
CEPO said the legal proceedings have intensified public mistrust in the transitional process and risk emboldening armed groups that were not party to the 2018 peace agreement.
The organization’s monitoring indicates that the trial is heightening tensions and fueling political polarization, which could destabilize the fragile peace further.
“South Sudan’s leaders continue to rely on military solutions to resolve political disagreements,” said Edmund Yakani, CEPO’s Executive Director in a statement extended to Sudans Post.
“This mindset is short-sighted and dangerous, and it drives the nation toward further violence, crimes against humanity, and humanitarian collapse,” he added.
The organization also highlighted concerns over government spending priorities. While resources are being directed toward military operations, civil servants remain unpaid for more than a year, and critical sectors, including education, healthcare, and agriculture, are severely underfunded.
CEPO warned that these imbalances are exacerbating existing humanitarian pressures, particularly in the face of devastating floods, climate shocks, and insecurity, which have collectively disrupted food production and left millions at risk of hunger and displacement.
“Prioritizing military spending over the basic needs of citizens undermines the stability of the country and erodes trust in leadership,” Yakani added.
It cautioned that unless the government and opposition commit to inclusive political dialogue, South Sudan could face its most severe humanitarian crisis since independence in 2011.
The organization urged regional and international stakeholders, including the African Union, IGAD, the United Nations, and donor partners, to intensify diplomatic engagement and leverage their influence to encourage political negotiations.
The advocacy group emphasized that coordinated international action is essential to prevent a return to large-scale conflict and protect civilians. CEPO warned that immediate steps are necessary to stabilize the country and avert a worsening cycle of war, displacement, and suffering, highlighting that early warning systems are signaling a critical and urgent risk to South Sudan’s peace.
In September, CEPO cautioned South Sudanese political leaders against resorting to military solutions in addressing political disagreements, warning that such an approach risks plunging the country back into conflict. Clashes between government and opposition forces have flared ever since.
