A key civil society group praised members of the SPLA-Juba and SPLA-IO participating in a ceasefire workshop in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. The workshop is aimed at conceptualizing the cessation of hostilities agreement the two sides have reached. 

The head of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) Edmund Yakani said, “Permanent ceasefire is the first demand of the citizens” and called ongoing fighting “senseless.”

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development, which is overseeing peace talks between the two sides, organized the workshop, which includes six military officers on each side of the conflict. It launched Saturday.

CEPO organized a peaceful march in Juba earlier this month under the theme, “Violence Never Gains.” The march was independently organized.