2025: A Crucial Year for South Sudan’s Peace Process and Elections

AUMISS, IGAD, and UNMISS commend progress in the South Sudan peace process as 2025 approaches, urging swift completion of transitional tasks and inclusive stakeholder engagement to ensure credible elections in December 2026.

On Tuesday, the African Union Mission in South Sudan (AUMISS), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) expressed their acknowledgment of the progress made in 2024 regarding the 2018 revitalized peace agreement. In a joint statement, they underscored the importance of 2025 as a critical year for completing the necessary tasks for the full implementation of the vision outlined in the Revitalized Agreement.

The trilateral partners highlighted their appreciation for the peace achieved through the sustained ceasefire, urging the swift completion of the deployment of Necessary Unified Forces and other essential transitional security arrangements. They also commended the early steps taken towards planning and outreach for electoral and constitution-making processes and recognized the commitment of President Salva Kiir in engaging President William Ruto of Kenya for mediation with the holdout groups, which has resulted in the Tumaini Initiative.

Despite these positive developments, the partners expressed concern regarding delays in crucial transitional tasks, which led to a further extension of the transitional period last September. They emphasized the importance of follow-up negotiations to achieve consensus among all stakeholders, particularly the holdout groups, encouraging all parties to treat this extension as an opportunity to address outstanding benchmarks without delay.

Additionally, they stressed the necessity of expanding civic education and engaging various stakeholders, including political parties and civil society, to address challenges related to the peace implementation. “Establishing clarity at the start of the New Year is crucial to enable realistic planning for elections in December 2026,” they stated.

In conclusion, the trilateral partners reaffirmed their commitment to support the South Sudanese people in their quest for lasting peace and emphasized the need for the country to demonstrate its commitment to crucial transitional tasks to maintain the trust of the global community amid competing global emergencies.

The article discusses the ongoing peace process in South Sudan, particularly the efforts made by international bodies such as AUMISS, IGAD, and UNMISS to support the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement established in 2018. With ongoing challenges, these organizations highlight the need for rapid completion of transitional tasks and engagement with stakeholders as critical components of progressing towards credible elections scheduled for December 2026. The statement reflects a broader concern for political stability in South Sudan amidst internal conflicts and global attention diverted to other crises.

The cooperative efforts of AUMISS, IGAD, and UNMISS signify a renewed commitment to supporting the peace process in South Sudan. As the country approaches 2025, the successful implementation of transitional tasks and consistent stakeholder engagement are crucial for maintaining momentum towards credible elections in December 2026. The collective calls for inclusivity and urgency from all parties highlight the international community’s expectations and the importance of restoring stability in South Sudan.

Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org