Communication Office

PRESS RELEASE

(For Immediate Publication)

Monday, 29 January 2024, Juba, South Sudan

RJMEC CONDEMNS ABYEI ATTACKS, REGRETS LOSS OF LIVES, URGES R-TGoNU TO RESTORE PERMANENT, SUSTAINABLE PEACE AND SECURITY

The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) condemns the attacks which took place in the Abyei Administrative Area over the weekend of 27-28 January 2024, resulting in the loss of lives, including two peacekeepers from the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA).

RJMEC condoles with the families of all those who lost their lives in this regrettable incident.  These attacks did not happen in isolation, but follow a pattern of continuing violence between local communities of that area in recent weeks and months, which also resulted in the death of the Deputy Administrator of the Abyei Administrative Area in late December 2023. RJMEC urges for dialogue to break the cycle of violence and underscores the need for the culture of peace to prevail.

South Sudan’s successful democratic transition hinges on the implementation of key tasks which are still incomplete, in particular the unification of forces and their deployment, and the making of the permanent constitution.

With so much at stake for the people of South Sudan as they look to have their democratic aspirations met by holding their first elections as an independent nation, RJMEC reminds the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU) of its responsibility, as per Article 1.2.2 of the R-ARCSS, to restore permanent and sustainable peace, security, and stability. 

It is important to emphasise on the need for close collaboration and collegiality at all levels of government in order to strengthen the processes and institutions of governance nationwide, which include those responsible for conducting dialogue and mediation. In this way, the levels of social cohesion and public confidence needed to hold free, fair and credible elections can continue to be built.