By Philip Buda Ladu
Diplomats in South Sudan have expressed concern over persistent politically motivated violence, repeated breaches of ceasefire, and apparent lack of progress from the transitional government in establishing and sustaining peace.
In a joint statement released on Thursday, the Embassies of France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States, alongside the Delegation of the European Union highlighted their deep unease with the current trajectory of the peace process.
The statement explicitly calls for the immediate and unconditional release of political detainees, emphasizing that this step is crucial to facilitate the prompt resumption of direct dialogue between the leaders of all political factions, including President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar.
Furthermore, the international community urged the swift rescheduling of the postponed 40th session of the Revitalized Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC). They stressed that this crucial meeting should prioritize addressing the critical obstacles hindering the implementation of the 2018 peace agreement.
The main opposition party, the SPLM-IO, is currently grappling with significant internal turmoil stemming from the political detention and house arrest of its leader, Riek Machar, along with the detention of other key figures.
This leadership vacuum has triggered a power struggle within the party.
Peace Building Minister Stephen Par Kuol unilaterally declared himself interim chairperson, a move contested by a significant faction of the SPLM-IO, including its military wing. This faction rejects the legitimacy of the interim leadership, especially in the absence of Deputy Chairman Oyet Nathaniel Pierino and other key leaders like Secretary General Regina Joseph Kaba who are in hiding.
Deputy Chairman Oyet Nathaniel Pierino, acting on his authority, responded by suspending several members, including Par Kuol, accusing them of orchestrating a “soft coup” against the detained Machar.
Amidst this internal conflict, a faction aligned with the suspended members, led by Par Kuol, convened a “consultative leadership meeting” in Juba on Wednesday, 9, April, 2025. This meeting reportedly resolved to replace Riek Machar with an interim leader, a decision that has been met with strong opposition from other segments of the SPLM-IO under the deputy chairman Oyet.
Adding to the instability, the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (R-JMEC), the body overseeing the implementation of the peace agreement, has announced the postponement of its crucial 40th plenary meeting, initially scheduled for Thursday, April 10, 2025, citing “unavoidable circumstances.”
Notably, the R-JMEC interim Chairperson had previously acknowledged the replacement of SPLM-IO representatives within the monitoring body, a decision made by Deputy Chairman Oyet Nathaniel Pierino following the suspension of Minister Par Kuol and his allies.
This acknowledgement further underscores the deep divisions within the SPLM-IO and their impact on the broader peace process.
Meanwhile, the joint statement also cautioned against any unilateral actions that could further undermine the already fragile peace agreement.
The Embassies and the EU Delegation underscored the urgency for South Sudan’s leaders to fulfill their obligations and demonstrate unequivocally that their primary focus is the attainment of lasting peace for the nation.
This unified message from prominent international actors underscores the increasing frustration within the global community regarding the stalled peace process in South Sudan and serves as a strong call for tangible action from the country’s leadership to prioritize dialogue, adhere to ceasefire agreements, and actively work towards a sustainable and peaceful future.