By Philip Buda Ladu
A new report from the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) reveals that the implementation of South Sudan’s Revitalized Peace Agreement (R-ARCSS) significantly stalled during the first quarter, this year.
The report, the 26th since signing of the 2018 agreement, attributes this halt to a deteriorating political and security environment, including an escalation of armed conflict and violence across the country.
RJMEC warns that this lack of progress and worsening situation is jeopardizing the fragile peace process established by the agreement.
It further noted the detention and imprisonment of several high-ranking opposition members and Parliamentarians, as well as the house arrest of First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny.
These developments, coupled with reshuffles in ministerial positions at both national and state levels, and within the Presidency, signal a worrying trend away from the principles of collegiality, consultation, and consensus that underpin the peace agreement.
Amb. Owino’s report explicitly stated that the implementation of the Agreement “ground to a halt” during the reporting period, attributing this stagnation to repeated violations by the parties involved and a significant worsening of the political and security landscape in South Sudan.
The report points to security violations reportedly committed by both the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army – In Opposition (SPLA-IO), which are now threatening the country’s stability.
Furthermore, critical aspects of the agreement, such as the unification and deployment of forces, have seen no progress, with Phase I deployment remaining incomplete and Phase II training yet to commence.
The escalating violence has had a devastating impact on civilians, including women and children, who have reportedly suffered serious human rights and humanitarian law violations, including death, injury, and displacement due to military operations and related armed clashes.
R-JMEC interim chair noted that the escalating violence have exacerbated the already severe humanitarian crisis in South Sudan, compounded by inter-communal clashes, land disputes, insecurity, natural disasters, a cholera outbreak, and cross-border movements, leading to an increase in the number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) requiring urgent assistance.
Despite the bleak assessment of the peace process, the report acknowledges some limited progress in areas such as Public Financial Management, particularly with the ongoing implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA).
Additionally, R-JMEC quarterly report noted that the National Constitutional Review Commission (NCRC) launched its civic education and public consultation process for the drafting of a permanent constitution. However, the report noted “very little progress” in the crucial areas of Transitional Justice, Accountability, Reconciliation, and Healing.
In response to the deteriorating situation, Amb. Owino said RJMEC engaged in extensive diplomatic efforts involving the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the African Union, the United Nations, and key international partners.
These efforts included an Extraordinary Summit of IGAD Heads of State and Government, a meeting of the AU Peace and Security Council, and high-level visits and shuttle diplomacy. Despite these interventions, the political and security situation on the ground remains largely unchanged.
The RJMEC report concluded with a series of urgent recommendations directed at various stakeholders, including the Parties to the Agreement, the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU), the Transitional National Legislature (TNL), IGAD, the African Union, and international partners.
Key recommendations include an immediate cessation of all forms of hostility, the release of detained SPLA-IO leaders and military officials, the reactivation of Agreement implementation institutions, the prioritization of force unification, and the expedition of crucial legislative and judicial reforms.
The report emphasized the critical juncture at which the South Sudan peace process finds itself.
While acknowledging that the R-ARCSS remains the most viable framework for lasting peace, the report warns that the current fragile and volatile situation poses a “serious threat to the survivability” of the Agreement.
This month, the head of the UN Mission in South Sudan, Mr. Nicholas Haysom said South Sudan stands at a perilous juncture, with escalating political tensions threatening to unravel a fragile peace deal and ignite renewed conflict in the already crisis-stricken nation.
He sounded warning to the Security Council in a grave briefing, highlighting a dangerous political standoff between President Salva Kiir and detained First Vice President Riek Machar, the two key principal signatories to the 2018 Revitalised Peace Agreement.
Mr. Haysom pointed to mounting volatility in Upper Nile state, fueled by reports of renewed mobilization by the White Army militia and the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), as well as alleged child recruitment and the deployment of Ugandan forces at the government’s request.