(JUBA) – Civil society leader Edmund Yakani has welcomed the government’s denial of media reports alleging that South Sudan plans to resettle Palestinians from Gaza but urged the authorities to act with greater transparency on the issue.
Speaking to media on Wednesday, 13 August 2025, the Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organisation (CEPO) said any proposal involving the settlement of foreign nationals in South Sudan should only proceed with clear public information and parliamentary approval.
“I welcome and appreciate the official statement issued by our Ministry of Foreign Affairs after we have seen media articles,” Mr Yakani said. “This is what we want, and this is the request that we are urging our government — that there is a need to be transparent.”
He argued that South Sudan, having emerged from a struggle against marginalisation, should not take actions that could undermine the Palestinian people’s identity or their struggle for land rights. “On a moral ground, the country should not accept the challenge that Palestinians are facing towards ownership of their land. We will be contributing to and undermining the identity of Palestinians,” he said.
Mr Yakani also stressed that South Sudan’s land should not be opened for any settlements without an agreed and transparent arrangement that is debated and approved by parliament.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has described the reports as “baseless” and inconsistent with government policy, urging media outlets to verify information through official channels before publication.
