Civil society doubtful about inclusivity, effectiveness of imminent interparty dialogue

A civil society group has expressed skepticism over the interparty dialogue organized by the incumbent coalition government scheduled for 17 September to address challenges facing its transition, questioning its effectiveness and sustainability.

Bol Deng Bol, a prominent South Sudanese activist, the executive director of the civil society organization Intrepid South Sudan, and chairperson of the National Civil Society Coalition (NCSC) as well as the Jonglei Civil Society Network, said in a statement to Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday that while the interparty dialogue is worth appreciating as a peace initiative, it should be preceded by inclusive national consensus dialogue inclusive of parties outside the government, including ordinary citizens.

“Even as we appreciate inter-party dialogue, we believe that it has its shortcomings,” he stated. “Although it is likely to result in consensus among the parties to the agreement on various sticky political and legal matters surrounding the conduct of general elections as announced by the NEC, it is not likely to address the rampant security threat facing South Sudanese, especially in the countryside.”

Deng contends that any genuine process should comprise armed and unarmed political groups in and outside the country, including women, youth, faith-based institutions, civil society, the media, students, academia, the region, and the international community.

“It also has a high chance of charting sustainable solutions to the current political, social, economic, and security challenges which directly determine a peaceful end to the transitional unity government,” he added.

The activist insisted that the proposed interparty dialogue should lead to a larger and more inclusive consensus-making national dialogue.

The National Civil Society Coalition (NCSC) is an umbrella of grassroots Civil Society Networks, drawn from South Sudan’s 10 States and three administrative areas to create an inclusive and vibrant civil society capable of effectively contributing to national transformation and state-building.