The African Union Mission in South Sudan (AUMISS), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) have recently called on the South Sudanese government to expedite the implementation of the peace agreement signed in 2018. The agreement, which aimed to end the ongoing conflict in the country, has seen slow progress in its implementation, with many key provisions remaining unfulfilled.
Since gaining independence from Sudan in 2011, South Sudan has been mired in conflict, with the government and various rebel groups fighting for control of the country. The conflict has caused immense suffering for the people of South Sudan, with millions displaced from their homes and thousands killed. In 2018, the government and the largest opposition group, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – In Opposition (SPLM-IO), signed a peace agreement in an attempt to end the violence and bring stability to the country.
The peace agreement included provisions for power-sharing between the government and the opposition, the integration of rebel forces into the national army, and the establishment of a transitional government. However, progress in implementing these provisions has been slow, with key deadlines missed and political disagreements between the government and opposition groups causing delays.
In a joint statement, AUMISS, IGAD, and UNMISS emphasized the urgent need for progress in implementing the peace agreement. They expressed concern that the slow pace of implementation was contributing to continued violence and instability in the country, and called on all parties to work together to achieve lasting peace.
The statement also called on the government to prioritize the establishment of key institutions, such as the Transitional National Legislature and the National Constitutional Amendment Committee, which are essential for the successful implementation of the peace agreement. It urged the government to allocate the necessary resources and ensure the full participation of all parties in the peace process.
AUMISS, IGAD, and UNMISS also highlighted the need for accountability for human rights violations committed during the conflict and called on the government to take concrete steps to address the issue. They emphasized that the full implementation of the peace agreement was crucial for ensuring justice and accountability for all victims of the conflict.