The United African Party (USAP) has expressed disappointment over its exclusion from an ongoing political dialogue in South Sudan. The dialogue involves parties to the country's 2018 revitalized peace agreement. USAP is advocating for an inclusive process that allows all signatories to present their positions. This comes ahead of South Sudan's planned elections. The party's Acting Chairperson, Professor Ajang Bior Duot, made these remarks on Friday.
Professor Ajang Bior Duot stated that a dialogue excluding a signatory party cannot claim to be inclusive. He emphasized that silencing USAP undermines the inter-party dialogue and endangers the consensus required for a credible electoral process. According to Duot, USAP was not given the opportunity to present its prepared position paper during the dialogue on October 1, 2026. All other signatory parties, including members of Other Political Parties (OPP), were allowed to present their positions.
The exclusion of USAP from the dialogue has been condemned as a violation of the principles of inclusivity and equal participation. These principles are enshrined in the 2018 peace agreement. Duot stressed that silencing a legitimate signatory party does not build trust. Instead, it undermines the inter-party dialogue and endangers the consensus on which a credible electoral process depends.
Despite the exclusion, USAP remains committed to achieving durable peace, security, and credible elections in South Sudan. The party will continue to pursue every legitimate avenue to ensure its voice is heard. USAP demands an immediate and unconditional opportunity to present its position paper on security and election preparedness to the inter-party dialogue.
USAP's position paper highlights the party's concerns and recommendations for security and election preparedness. The party believes that its input is crucial for the success of the peace agreement and the credibility of the upcoming elections. By excluding USAP, the dialogue may not be representative of all signatory parties.
The party has called for urgent intervention by the OPP, the inter-party dialogue co-chair, the parties to the 2018 peace agreement, RJMEC, and the guarantors to the 2018 peace agreement. USAP seeks protection of the rights of all legitimate signatory parties. The party emphasizes the necessity of including all parties to the agreement for a credible electoral process.
The 2018 revitalized peace agreement aims to bring peace and stability to South Sudan. The agreement has been signed by various parties, including USAP. The ongoing political dialogue is a crucial step towards implementing the agreement and preparing for elections. USAP's exclusion has raised concerns about the inclusivity and credibility of the dialogue.
Key points
- USAP demands an immediate and unconditional opportunity to present its position paper on security and election preparedness to the inter-party dialogue.
- The party's exclusion from the dialogue violates the principles of inclusivity and equal participation enshrined in the 2018 peace agreement.
- USAP remains committed to achieving durable peace, security, and credible elections in South Sudan.
