By Philip Buda Ladu
Escalating violence in Upper Nile region, risks jeopardizing the 2018 revitalized peace agreement, a group of “Other South Sudanese Stakeholders” have warned.
The stakeholders who echoed their concern in a press statement on Monday, include faith-based leaders, academia, youth, civil society, business community, and women’s block.
At least twelve signatories and stakeholders to the revitalized peace agreement (R-ARCSS) also issued a stark warning about the deteriorating security situation, calling for urgent action to prevent the collapse of the fragile peace process.
The group, identifying themselves as “Other South Sudanese Stakeholders and Adherents,” expressed “grave concern” over escalating tensions and violence in key regions, including Upper Nile, Western Equatoria, and Western Bahr El Ghazal.
The stakeholders, who are members of the Revitalized Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), emphasized that the current violence threatens to undo the progress made over the past seven years and jeopardize the planned 2026 elections.
They urged all signatories to the 2018 revitalized agreement to prioritize unity and engage in inclusive dialogue to restore stability.
“The current political and security situation threatens to erode the gains of the last 7 years that we have all worked hard to achieve,” the statement read. “Immediate action is needed now to restore stability and move the country towards national reconciliation, healing, and an end of the transition with elections in 2026.”
The group extended condolences to families affected by the violence and called on all parties to adhere to the 2017 Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA) and reaffirm the R-ARCSS as the governing framework during the transitional period.
Specifically, the stakeholders appealed to the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) to take the following actions including:
Immediate Deployment of Necessary Unified Forces: To stabilize security, protect civilians, ensure humanitarian aid delivery, and improve military-civilian relations, while adhering to principles of legal use of force.
Inclusive Dialogue: Engaging all parties, including local communities and traditional leaders, to promote social cohesion and build trust.
Release of Political Detainees: Immediate release of all political detainees, leaders, and members of the SPLM-IO as a confidence-building measure, or indict them in a court of law.
Prioritization of Unity and Peaceful Dispute Resolution: Avoiding divisive language and respecting civil liberties.
Provision of Affordable Food: Addressing the ongoing economic hardship.
Acceptance of Church Facilitation: Unconditionally accepting the Church’s offer to facilitate direct dialogue, as per their March 6th, 2025 statement.
The statement concluded with a commitment from the stakeholders to creating a safe environment for dialogue, trust-building, and promoting truth, reconciliation, and healing.
The group emphasized that “through collective action, dialogue and a commitment to peace, we can overcome the current challenges and build a more peaceful, democratic and prosperous South Sudan.”