By Philip Buda Ladu
South Sudan’s 2018 peace agreement is facing its “most serious challenges” since it signing, warned Ambassador Major General (Rtd) George Aggrey Owinow, interim chairperson of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC).
Addressing the African Union Peace and Security Council virtually on Tuesday, Owinow delivered a blunt assessment, stating the deal is at stake.
Amb. Owinow expressed deep concern over the escalating violence and political tensions gripping the country.
He stressed that despite the extension of the transitional period to February 2027, with elections scheduled for December 2026, implementation of the peace agreement remains critically slow.
“The current situation in the Republic of South Sudan is deeply concerning,” Amb. Owinow stated. “The Revitalized Peace Agreement is facing the most serious challenges since its signing in September 2018.”
Recent armed clashes involving signatory parties in Western Equatoria, Western Bahr el Ghazal, and Upper Nile State, particularly in Nasir County, have heightened tensions.
The Nasir clashes, which evolved from a purported rotation of SSPDF forces which led to confrontation of the army with local militias, resulted in fatalities, including a UN helicopter crew member.
Amb. Owinow also cited “contentious political decisions” made in Juba, including presidential decrees that weakened the IO and the arrest of senior politicians and armed forces members, as contributing to the instability.
“Political tensions in Juba and around the country are heightened, and there is an urgent need to prevent them from rising any further,” he warned.
To address the escalating crisis, Amb. Owinow presented several recommendations to the AU Peace and Security Council including, urgent dialogue, restoring trust, accelerating implementation and activation of support mechanisms.
He called on all parties to the peace agreement to cease actions that escalate tensions, engage in constructive dialogue, and demonstrate a commitment to peace through regular presidential meetings and joint messaging.
He urged the parties to restore trust and confidence in the peace process by reactivating security mechanisms.
He implored the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) to prioritize the completion of the unification of forces, proceed with the constitution-making process, and prepare for free and fair elections.
He suggested the council consider activating existing mechanisms, such as the Panel of the Wise, to engage with the parties in a spirit of dialogue and reconciliation.
The R-JMEC interim chair also welcomed the efforts of the 43rd Extraordinary IGAD Heads of State and Government meeting, held on March 12, as a crucial catalyst for the South Sudan peace process.
The RJMEC chief’s address underscores the urgent need for renewed commitment and action to salvage the fragile peace in South Sudan.
Meanwhile, last week the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) warned that the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement (R-ARCSS) is on the verge of collapse, citing “sustained and systematic violations” by the government.
The warning came in a press statement released by Deputy Chairman of the SPLM/A-IO, Oyet Nathaniel Pierino, seen by this outlet.
“Today the country is at the crossroads and brinks of plunging into utmost abyss and violence,” Pierino stated, highlighting the erosion of trust and the reversal of progress made since 2018.
The SPLM-IO detailed a litany of alleged violations, including; security arrangements breaches, political marginalization, lack of political will, violation of ceasefire, targeting of SPLM-IO members among others.
Pierino emphasized that the SPLA-IO has refrained from retaliating against SSPDF aggression in an effort to maintain peace, but warned that the situation has become untenable.
The main opposition group also said it will conduct internal consultations to “radically adjust” its strategy in response to the deteriorating situation.
The statement by the deputy chairman called on the guarantors of the R-ARCSS and the international community to take action to prevent a return to full-scale conflict.
However, the minister of information and government spokesman, Michael Makuei assured on Monday that the government is in total control of the situation as such there should be no cause for alarm among the public.
“Despite all these challenges, be assured, the citizens and the people of South Sudan that your government under the leadership of President Salva Kiir Mayardit is in full control and the situation is normal all-over South Sudan” Makuei told said.