“Freedom of expression, access to information and civic space is what we want and need to effectively exercise the roles of civil society in the implementation of South Sudan’s peace agreement,” said Edmond Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) at a workshop that brought 150 participants to Juba to celebrate World Press Freedom Day.

Mr. Yakani spoke about the theme of this year’s event, Enhancing Democracy and Freedom of Expression in the South Sudan Peace Process. While telling the audience that his organization is doing its part to make the public aware of the content of the revitalized peace agreement, he emphasized that the primary responsibility for keeping citizens informed lies with the parties who signed the peace deal.

“The South Sudan we want is in our hands and brains. We want South Sudan to continue moving forward, and it will continue. We want South Sudan to be peaceful, and we can make it happen. It’s up to you and me to do our part to make South Sudan a stable country for everyone to enjoy,” he said, stressing the need for positivity to achieve true peace.

Ruot George, an activist and freelance journalist, said that he is contributing by spreading knowledge about the peace accord to the people seeking sanctuary at the Juba protection of civilian site of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan. He urged the government to support real freedom of the media so that citizens across the country can be properly informed and benefit from the peace process.

“When there are no restrictions of the media, when we are allowed to do our job unhindered, people will be informed and rumours will not take the lead and communities can coexist to develop South Sudan,” Mr. George said.

Organized jointly by the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) and the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMVM) including the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), the event attracted journalists from various media houses in Juba, civil society organizations and women’s groups, all of whom play a major role in making the public aware of the provisions of the revitalized peace agreement.

Dr. Ben Okuk from the University of Juba’s Institute of Strategic Studies spoke for many as he pointed out the paramount importance of protecting journalists to strengthen democracy in South Sudan.

“For journalists to educate grassroots across the country about the meaning of the peace agreement there must be peace and security. When that is the case, elections can be conducted, and we can initiate a democratic process,” said Dr. Okuk, who also urged the government to equip the constitution with the necessary provisions to guarantee proper freedom of expression and the media.

The UN family also has a role to play, as expressed by human rights officer Annie Rashidi, representing the peacekeeping mission in the country.

“The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), will continue working closely with the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and its efforts related to the safety of journalists, freedom of expression and successful development of the media sector, not to mention every citizen’s right to have access to information.”