International partners called for an end to hostilities in South Sudan, a return to inclusive dialogue, and implementation of the peace deal at a forum in Juba. Photo: Nektarios Markogiannis/UNMISS.
A powerful, collective call for a cessation of hostilities between forces aligned with the parties to the peace deal in South Sudan was issued by regional and international partners at a forum focused on addressing the deteriorating political and security situation.Since March 2025, political violence has escalated, including aerial bombardments in parts of the country. A sharp 59 percent increase has been recorded in civilian casualties so far this year, compared to 2024, and nearly 321,000 people have been newly displaced by conflict.“The permanent ceasefire is continually and repeatedly violated by signatory parties. Across many parts of the country, SPLM/A-IO and SSPDF forces have consistently attacked each other and their allied forces, leading to the death of civilians, the destruction of villages, and internal displacement,” stated Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism, Chief of Staff, Colonel Gunnar Gabrielsen.The political division and tensions caused by the trial of First Vice President Riek Machar and other co-accused were also discussed at the plenary session held by the peace monitoring body, the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (R-JMEC). The overall situation was described as precarious, with the peace deal on the verge of collapse due to rising political tensions, mistrust, and violence. “There is no doubt, therefore, that the peace agreement is facing its greatest challenge since its signing,” said R-JMEC Chair, Ambassador George Aggrey Owinow. “If the current challenges are not urgently addressed, there is a high risk of reversal of all the gains already made, and it may lead to a collapse of the agreement altogether.”The political crisis is also exacerbating the dire humanitarian situation, with conflict and flooding causing the displacement of 497,000 people. Humanitarians are also facing increasing restrictions while trying to access vulnerable communities, with 70 access incidents reported this month, double last year. “The challenges facing the peace agreement are man-made, fundamentally political, and only resolvable through inclusive dialogue,” said Officer in Charge, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General, Anita Kiki Gbeho. “The time for action is now. The people of South Sudan deserve peace, a unified commitment to their safety, security, and stability.”The Government representative reported on the progress made in implementing the peace agreement.“We have a web of Government, we have institutions for elections which are functioning and working hard. They have made a lot of progress. We have a security sector that is being cleaned up so that we now have one security sector,” said the Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Martin Lomuro. “Notwithstanding that, there will be some challenges as we move forward.”He also stressed that, if funds were made available, the constitution-making process could also be completed in time for elections in December 2026. “We are monitoring the situation of funding, and we are developing a fallback position. It is not the time to divulge, but because we intend to take the country for elections, we are actively engaging among ourselves to ensure that we have a fallback position that will be smooth and trouble-free so that we can take the country for elections.”There was also hope among parties for a return to inclusive decision-making and action to progress peace. “The agreement has been on its knees, but it can be rescued,” said SPLM/A-IO representative Sandra Bona Malwal. “The rescue of the agreement should be through dialogue, and this I would like to bring to the attention of all the parties, that we all need to rethink and sit at the table and dialogue so that we can rescue this agreement and South Sudan in general.”International partners reiterated their commitment to supporting South Sudan. However, they stressed the need for urgent action to end hostilities, engage in inclusive and constructive dialogue, and return to the framework of the peace agreement, if there is to be any hope of a better future for the world’s newest nation. “The Revitalized Peace Agreement, agreed to by the parties themselves, remains the only framework for completing an inclusive political transition and achieving lasting peace in South Sudan,” said Ms. Gbeho. “There is no alternative. Any deviation from its provisions, or attempts to circumvent its mechanisms, risks plunging the country back into conflict and uncertainty.”