Arop Jonchol
Juba: Al-Wadi Newspaper
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has expressed concern over reports regarding the house arrest of South Sudan’s First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, and the escalating political tensions in South Sudan.
The statement, which the newspaper obtained, noted that these developments seriously undermine the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) and could risk plunging the country back into violent conflict.
IGAD’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, reminded South Sudan’s leaders of the statement issued by the 43rd Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government on March 12, 2025. He called on “all parties to immediately refrain from unilateral actions that violate the spirit and letter of the R-ARCSS, which remains the only viable framework for sustainable peace in South Sudan. The current trajectory, if unchecked, could lead to the collapse of the transitional process and a relapse into full-scale war, with devastating consequences for the people of South Sudan and the entire region.”
The Executive Secretary also urged “all signatories to the agreement to exercise maximum restraint, prioritize dialogue, and resolve differences through inclusive and peaceful means.”
Dr. Workneh reaffirmed IGAD’s readiness to support mediation efforts and called on regional and international partners to reinforce the imperative of preserving peace in South Sudan.
The statement concluded: “The people of South Sudan deserve lasting stability, not a return to conflict. IGAD reaffirms its full commitment to the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement (R-ARCSS) and urges all concerned parties to act responsibly for the sake of peace and national unity.”
