Coalition of Opposition Parties

End the Stagnation: South Sudan’s Future Cannot Wait for Broken Promises

It has been weeks since the Government Negotiating Delegation returned to Juba to report to President Salva Kiir Mayardit on the Tumaini Initiative. This initiative, if signed, would become part of the R-ARCSS, an essential step toward implementing the extended peace agreement. Yet every delay in signing Tumaini is another day that our leaders fail the people of South Sudan. The R-TGONU’s continued delays and broken promises reveal a government more interested in clinging to power than in fulfilling its obligations to its people. They prolong their rule while South Sudanese face unimaginable hardships: families are torn from their homes, forced into exile, or left to fend for themselves in displacement camps. Entire communities remain submerged in floodwaters, with no sign of relief. Our healthcare system is collapsing, leaving the sick without care; children go to bed hungry, and every new dawn brings more hopelessness. This is not just a failure to govern—it’s a betrayal of our people, who remain oppressed, suffering, and forgotten.

I am Deng Bol Aruai Bol, and I approve this message.

16th September 2024

Head of Central Security Division
Internal Security Bureau
National Security Service
Juba, South Sudan

Subject: Request for Permission to Hold Peaceful Weekly Demonstrations Against the Unilateral Extension of the R-ARCSS

Dear Sir,

I write to you on behalf of the Common Peoples Alliance (CPA), a political party firmly committed to representing the interests of the people of South Sudan. As a party dedicated to transparency, justice, and the empowerment of citizens, we believe that the people of South Sudan deserve to be active participants in decisions that affect their future, particularly in matters concerning the peace process and governance of our nation.

The recent unilateral extension of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS), made without broad public consultation or the involvement of political parties, civil society, and regional and international partners, has raised significant concerns. As a political party that upholds democratic values, we believe that this decision undermines the legitimacy of the Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) and excludes the people of South Sudan from having their rightful say in shaping the future of the nation.

As enshrined in the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan (2011, as amended), Article 25 guarantees the right to peaceful assembly, and this right is further supported by international human rights instruments such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Peaceful protest is a legitimate form of expression in a democratic society, and we must ensure this right is exercised lawfully.

In this regard, we request permission from your esteemed office to hold peaceful weekly demonstrations every Friday, starting on the 20th of September 2024, until the following demands are addressed:

1. Inclusive Public Consultation on R-ARCSS: We demand that the decision to extend the R-ARCSS undergo proper consultation involving political parties, civil society, peace guarantors, and relevant stakeholders. The extension must represent the people's will, not a unilateral decision.

2. Limitation of the Extension to 12 Months: The CPA calls for any extension of the R-ARCSS to be limited to 12 months, beginning February 2025. The period from October 2024 to January 2025 must be used as a pre-transitional period to finalize key initiatives such as the Tumaini Initiative and conduct dialogue with political and armed groups within and outside the country, to draw up a clear matrix for implementation and build peace and confidence among all parties and stakeholders.

3. Economic Stability and Payment of Salaries: We demand that the government take immediate steps to address the economic situation and ensure the payment of overdue salaries to public servants, security forces, and other government employees. The lack of regular salary payments is worsening the hardships faced by citizens.

4. Address Corruption and Hold Offenders Accountable: Corruption is undermining peace and development in South Sudan. We demand that the government take firm action to address corruption, bring offenders to justice, and ensure transparency in public financial management.

5. Improvement in Security and Stability: Insecurity remains a pressing issue across the country. We demand urgent measures to improve security and travel safety, especially in regions where instability continues to disrupt daily life. The government must stop attributing the lack of progress to insecurity and focus on creating the conditions for stability and peace.

6. Protection of South Sudan’s Territorial Integrity: We demand that the government address the issue of neighboring countries encroaching on South Sudan’s borders and take steps to protect the territorial integrity of our nation.

7. Engagement with Regional and International Partners: The CPA demands that the government re-engage with regional organizations such as R-JMEC, and IGAD, and international stakeholders like the African Union, United Nations, and Troika, to ensure a transparent and credible peace process.

8. Basic Infrastructure and Services: We call on the government to make concrete efforts to improve basic infrastructure and essential services such as healthcare, education, and access to clean water for all citizens.

9. Timely and Credible Elections: The CPA demands the establishment of a clear and transparent timetable for free, fair, and inclusive national elections. The extension of the R-ARCSS must not be a reason to delay elections indefinitely.

10. Freedom of Expression and Political Participation: We demand that the government respect the rights of all citizens to participate in political processes, express their views, and assemble peacefully without fear of harassment or intimidation.
Additionally, we kindly request that the National Security Service designate two suitable venues in Juba where these peaceful demonstrations can be held each week, starting on the 20th of September 2024. This will allow for proper planning and ensure that the demonstrations remain orderly and compliant with public safety requirements.

The Common Peoples Alliance is fully committed to ensuring that these demonstrations are peaceful, lawful, and conducted in accordance with South Sudan's legal and constitutional frameworks. We believe in the power of peaceful expression as a way to make the government accountable to its citizens and to ensure that the country’s governance is inclusive and transparent.

We trust that your office will consider our request favorably and support our right to peaceful assembly in pursuit of a just and equitable solution for the people of South Sudan.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to your response.

Yours sincerely,

Deng Bol Aruai Bol
Chairman,
Common Peoples Alliance (CPA)
Juba, South Sudan

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), a Red Army-backed and youth-led grassroots political party founded in 2022, is mobilizing, recruiting, registering, and organizing its membership in preparation for the elections in December 2024.

PRESS STATEMENT ON THE FORMATION OF THE COALITION OF OPPOSITION PARTIES (COOP)

Juba, South Sudan - 13th November 2022 - On 11th November 2022, four Opposition Parties in South Sudan, namely the People’s United Forum (PUF), African People's Congress (APC), People Progressive Party (PPP), and National Democratic Alliance (NDA) formed a political umbrella called the “Coalition of Opposition Parties” abbreviated as “COOP.”

The primary purpose of the Coalition is to help mobilize, organize and speak on behalf of all likeminded political parties and carry out political activities to ensure that the constitutional rights of all citizens and parties enshrined in the constitution and Political Parties Act are respected and to advocate for the opening and functioning of the Political Parties Council, to support, facilitate and coordinate the work of political parties in the Country, as stipulated and provided for by law.

The COOP will act as a united body that will collectively fight for a free political space in South Sudan, monitor the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCISS) and the roadmap, and engage the Transitional Government of National Unity to fund key institutions necessary for timely and successful conduct of the General Elections in 2024 such as the Political Parties Council, Elections Commission, Constitutional Review Commission, among others.

As an independent umbrella of opposition parties, the COOP is guided legally by the provision of Article 25 (1), read together with section 15 (1) (b) of the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan, 2011, as amended and South Sudan Political Parties Act, 2012, respectively which provide for the freedom of assembly and association including the right to join or form a political party by any adult South Sudanese of sound mind.

The Coalition Of Opposition Parties (COOP) membership is open to all South Sudanese non-violent opposition parties who are not signatories to the R-ARCISS and are based in South Sudan. Its leadership comprises Member Political Parties' representatives. Its current composition is drawn from the founding members; however, as many partners join the coalition, occasional restructuring and accommodation of other political parties in top leadership shall be considered accordingly.

Signed,

HON. DR. G*I CHOL PAUL
Chairman of the Coalition Of Opposition Parties (COOP) and
Chairman of the People’s United Forum (PUF)

HON. ADV. GABRIEL KUOT AKOK
Deputy Chairman of the Coalition Of Opposition Parties (COOP) and Chairman of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP)

HON. DENG-BIL WILLIAM AGUER
Secretary of the Coalition Of Opposition Parties (COOP) and
Chairman of the African People’s Congress (APC)

HON. DENG BOL ARUAI BOL
Spokesperson of the Coalition Of Opposition Parties (COOP) and
Chairman of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA)