The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), the body overseeing South Sudan’s peace agreement, on Monday expressed concern over renewed fighting between government forces and opposition SPLA-IO forces in Jonglei State and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
Clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) erupted on Sunday in Walgak Payam, Akobo County, killing the government-appointed commissioner of Akobo County, James Kueth Makuac, and several others.
In a statement extended to Radio Tamazuj, RJMEC said the fighting resulted in casualties and heightened insecurity, although full details of the incident remained unclear.
The commission condemned the violence, saying it undermines implementation of the 2018 Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS), endangers civilians and risks reversing gains made in the country’s peace process.
It urged all parties to immediately cease hostilities, exercise maximum restraint and resolve their differences through dialogue in accordance with the peace agreement.
“Military confrontation cannot provide a sustainable solution to political challenges. It only deepens human suffering and erodes public confidence in the peace process,” the statement said.
RJMEC also expressed concern over the humanitarian consequences of the fighting, warning that the violence could displace civilians and disrupt the delivery of humanitarian assistance to vulnerable communities.
The commission called on all parties to respect international humanitarian law, protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, and guarantee safe and unhindered humanitarian access to people in need.
It further urged the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) to investigate the reported clashes, establish the facts surrounding the incident and present its findings through the appropriate peace agreement mechanisms.
RJMEC reiterated that all signatories to the peace agreement bear primary responsibility for implementing its provisions and called on them to uphold the permanent ceasefire, honour their commitments under the accord and prioritise dialogue over confrontation in the interest of lasting peace and stability in South Sudan.
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