-     Chairperson of the AU Peace and Security Council,

-       Commissioner for the AU Political Affairs, Peace and Security

-       Your Excellencies, Distinguished Permanent Representatives

-       Ladies and Gentlemen

Your Excellency,

1.      It is my distinct honour to address this august Council for the first time as the new Interim Chairperson of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC). I took over this position in February 2025.

2.      The current situation in the Republic of South Sudan is deeply concerning, and the Revitalised Peace Agreement is facing the most serious challenges since its signing in September 2018. 

3.      Although the Transitional Period of the Revitalised Peace Agreement was extended for another two years from 22nd February 2025, with elections scheduled for December 2026, the slow pace of its implementation has long been worrying.

4.      Reports in January and February 2025 of armed clashes involving forces belonging to Parties signatory to the Agreement in Western Equatoria and Western Bahr el Ghazal States were followed by clashes in Nasir County, Upper Nile State. These clashes were preceded by some contentious political decisions made in Juba by Presidential decree weakening the IO, as well as arrest of senior politicians and members of its armed forces. 

5.      On the recent case of Nasir, in RJMEC’s assessment, it appears that a rotation of SSPDF forces who are garrisoned there turned into armed clashes involving forces of the Parties signatory to the Agreement, as well as local militia. These clashes caused several fatalities, including a UN helicopter crew member.

6.      As a result, political tensions in Juba and around the country are heightened, and there is urgent need to prevent them from rising any further.

Your Excellency,

7.      Given the aforementioned, I would like to conclude with some recommendations to this Council: 

                     i.     urge the leadership of all the Parties to the R-ARCSS to desist from actions that may escalate tensions, undertake constructive dialogue, speak with one voice and to demonstrate their commitment not to return the country to war through regular scheduled Presidency meetings and joint messaging;

                  ii.     prevail on the Parties to the Revitalised Peace Agreement to cease all actions that further undermine trust and confidence in the peace process, and reactivate the functioning of the security mechanisms;

                iii.     urge the RTGoNU to prioritise the completion of Phase I of the unification of forces and commence Phase II, as well as DDR, and proceed with the constitution-making process and preparations for the conduct of free, fair and credible elections in December 2026; and

                 iv.     Consider activating existing mechanisms in support of South Sudan, which could include the Panel of the Wise, to proactively engage with the Parties going forward in a spirit of dialogue and reconciliation. 

8.      Finally, RJMEC welcomes the efforts and resolutions of the 43rd Extraordinary IGAD Heads of State and Government meeting, held on 12 March, as a strong catalyst to the South Sudan’s peace process.

I Thank You