The government downplays tensions as the new transition begins

By Emmanuel Garjiek

South Sudan’s government has attempted to downplay the impact of recent bloodshed and escalating tensions between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and the opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO), which is commanded by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar.
The conflicts occur as the parties to the 2018 peace deal prepare to begin a new longer transitional period on February 22, 2025, pushing general elections until December 2026.
The 2018 peace agreement struck by President Salva Kiir and Dr. Machar remains weak, with substantial hurdles ahead. Key challenges include the consolidation of armed organizations into a national army, the creation of a permanent constitution, and the implementation of institutional reforms prior to elections. Michael Makuei, South Sudan’s Minister of Information and government spokesman, downplayed the recent violence in Western Equatoria and Western Bahr el Ghazal as “normal skirmishes” that occur in any combat zone.
Makuei affirmed that the clashes will not disrupt the government’s commitment to the peace process or the extended transition phase.
“These events have occurred, but they are just skirmishes that happen everywhere. You cannot conclude that the parties are not genuine. The parties are fully committed to implementing the agreement, and these incidents will not affect the new extension,” Makuei said.
He went on to say that the administration will ensure that all outstanding aspects of the peace deal were fully implemented throughout the extended transition phase.
However, the SPLM-IO has raised concerns about recent attacks on its positions in Western Equatoria and Western Bahr el Ghazal.
The SPLM-IO’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Puok Both Baluang, has warned that the violence threatens to erode gains made under the 2018 peace accord, notably in security arrangements.
“These attacks jeopardize the implementation of the peace agreement, especially the security arrangements,” Baluang said. “We call on the SSPDF to show genuine political will in fully implementing the security arrangements and the Revitalized Agreement, so that we can move forward, addressing outstanding issues and paving the way for peaceful, democratic, transparent, and inclusive elections at the end of the transitional period.”
The Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangement Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) has also caused alarm.
Major General Yitayal Gelaw Bitew, Chairperson of CTSAMVM, said on Tuesday that the increased fighting along the frontiers of Western Equatoria and Western Bahr el Ghazal threatens the ceasefire agreement’s integrity.
Bitew urged all sides to respect the truce and try to restore stability.