Communication Office

PRESS RELEASE

(For Immediate Publication)

Sunday, 12 September, 2022, Juba, South Sudan

4TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE REVITALIZED AGREEMENT ON THE RESOLUTION OF THE CONFLICT IN THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN (R-ARCSS)

Four years ago today, the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) was signed. This is a significant milestone marking the momentous journey that South Sudan is on. 

If we recall recent history, armed conflict broke out in July 2016 within one year of the signing of the 2015 Peace Agreement, and barely two months after the first coalition government was formed. By contrast, implementation of the R-ARCSS is now entering its fifth year, and the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) is just over two-and-a-half-years old. 

This is an important achievement, and the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), as the institution responsible for the overall oversight of the implementation of the Peace Agreement, congratulates H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan, H.E. Dr. Riek Machar, First Vice President, and the four Vice Presidents and the diverse peoples of South Sudan in general.

In recent weeks, we have seen two notable events in particular. Firstly, the graduation of the first batch of the unified forces. The unification of forces is the backbone of the Agreement, and one of the key building blocks promoting national unity, reconciliation, and community cohesion. The momentum generated should be maintained and Phase II of unification should commence as quickly as possible.

The second notable event is the vote by the RJMEC members to extend of the Transitional Period by two years, so it would expire in February 2025 after the holding of free, fair and credible elections. The extension was part of a Roadmap presented to the RJMEC members by the RTGoNU, known as the “Agreement on the Roadmap to a Peaceful and Democratic end to the Transitional Period of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan.” 

The Roadmap makes it clear that much remains to be implemented across all chapters of the Peace Agreement, and we cannot ignore the fact that the need for this Roadmap arose directly because of the slow pace of implementation of the Revitalised Peace Agreement.

Therefore, as we mark the four years since the Agreement’s signing, RJMEC urges the RTGoNU to redouble its efforts and implement the Roadmap fully in letter and spirit. As it does so, we urge it to bear in mind that more confidence and trust building across society is needed, and that improved inclusivity and extending and protecting the political and civic space for all South Sudanese to participate in their governance is also needed.  

Furthermore, instability in the states detracts from gains made in peacebuilding. RJMEC reminds the RTGoNU that the preamble of the Revitalised Peace Agreement talks of “laying the foundation for a united, peaceful and prosperous society based on justice, equality, respect for human rights and the rule of law,” and this is truly a laudable goal which must apply to each and every citizen of South Sudan equally  

God Bless South Sudan. 

ENDS