By Philip Buda Ladu
Quartet has issued a strong statement expressing their increasing concern over the rapidly deteriorating political and security situation across South Sudan.
Quartet is a collective reference to African Union Mission in South Sudan (AUMISS), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), and the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC).
In a press release Thursday, the Quartet called on South Sudan’s leaders to immediately cease all hostilities and urgently return to dialogue to advance the inclusive implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
The statement highlighted the alarming consequences of ongoing air and ground attacks, which are resulting in significant loss of life, destruction of property, and widespread civilian displacement.
Furthermore the Quartet also noted with grave concern the rising tide of ethnically polarizing rhetoric and hate speech, as well as the unacceptable targeting of humanitarian facilities.
“These escalations are fast eroding the confidence of communities and peace partners on the sincerity of the promise made by the Parties not to return this country to war,” the statement emphasized.
The Quartet commended the recent high-level joint visit to South Sudan by the African Union and IGAD, recognizing their continued involvement as a reaffirmation of regional and continental solidarity in support of lasting peace and stability.
It also appreciated the efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in facilitating these visits, expressing hope that they will lead to outcomes that prioritize peace.
Moreover, the Quartet urged the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) to swiftly investigate, verify, and report on the recent violence, stressing that those responsible must be held accountable to restore public trust and prevent future incidents.
All stakeholders in South Sudan were called upon to fully collaborate with CTSAMVM in facilitating impartial and thorough investigations.
Reiterating their firm belief that there is no military solution to the conflict, the Quartet encouraged the leadership to recommit to a transparent, consensus-driven, and collaborative approach for lasting peace.
The body stressed the need to visibly reinvigorate the stalled peace implementation by addressing all grievances through inclusive political dialogue. This, they stated, could be achieved through the release of the First Vice President, other SPLM/A-IO officials and members currently under detention, and the creation of an enabling environment to reconvene and resource inclusive institutions and mechanisms provided for under the R-ARCSS.
The Quartet further emphasized that all institutions and mechanisms must adhere to the letter and spirit of the Revitalized Peace Agreement by completing outstanding benchmarks.
It underscored that these steps are essential for South Sudan to hold free, fair, and credible elections at the end of the extended transitional period.
Finally, AUMISS, IGAD, UNMISS, and RJMEC expressed their continued optimism that South Sudan’s leaders will rediscover the sense of common purpose that united them during their struggle for independence, overcome current mistrust and challenges, and once again jointly pursue a peaceful transition.