Arop Jonchol
Juba: Al-Wadi Newspaper
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the Revitalized Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), and the African Union (AUMISS) have called on South Sudan’s leaders to immediately cease hostilities and urgently return to dialogue in order to make progress in the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
In a joint statement, the Quartet expressed deep concern over the rapid deterioration of the political and security situation in South Sudan, noting that ongoing air and ground attacks have led to alarming loss of life and property, as well as an increase in civilian displacement. They also condemned the rising ethnic rhetoric and hate speech, as well as the targeting of humanitarian facilities, calling for an immediate cessation of these attacks.
The Quartet emphasized that these escalating actions are undermining the confidence of communities and peace partners in the parties’ commitment to ensuring the country does not return to war. In this context, they highlighted the importance of the recent joint visit by the African Union and IGAD to South Sudan, which demonstrated strong regional solidarity in support of peace and stability in the country. The Quartet also stressed the importance of continued cooperation in addressing the ongoing crisis.
The Quartet expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in South Sudan for facilitating the visit, hoping that it would lead to outcomes focused on sustainable peace.
The Quartet further called for swift investigations into recent violence by the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM), with an emphasis on holding those responsible accountable to restore public trust and prevent further incidents.
The Quartet reiterated that there is no military solution to the crisis in South Sudan, urging the leadership to adopt an inclusive, transparent, and collaborative approach to achieve lasting peace. They emphasized the need to reinvigorate the stalled peace implementation process by addressing outstanding grievances through inclusive political dialogue.
Finally, the Quartet expressed optimism that peace in South Sudan is achievable, highlighting the necessity for collective action and cooperation among all parties to address the current challenges and move towards a new phase of stability and development.
