South Sudan: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation – Press Release (05.11.2019)

Press Statement of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights on preventing the relapse of South Sudan into conflict (05.11.2019)

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission), through its Country Rapporteur for South Sudan, Commissioner Solomon Ayele Dersso, has been following with concern the challenges facing the implementation by the parties, of the September 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).

The Commission expresses its serious concern about the imminent risk of relapse of the country into violence, which would certainly lead to another round of death and displacement of civilians. While only a few days are left before the deadline for the formation of the revitalized government of national unity and the start of the transitional period on 12 November, progress has not been made in the implementation of two key pre-transitional tasks, notably security arrangements and the number of states as well as internal boundaries of states.

The Commission deplores the intransigence and lack of concern of the parties to the R-ARCSS in relation to the plight of the people of South Sudan, leading to the absence of a consensual timeline and the requisite minimum conditions for the formation of a stable government of national unity by the current deadline.

The Commission notes with concern the disagreement between the parties to the R-ARCSS (namely the Government of South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO)) on the formation of the revitalized government of national unity by the deadline of 12 November 2019. While one side is inclined to proceed with the plan of forming the government of national unity by 12 November, the other has called for the resolution of the dispute over the implementation of the two key pre-transitional tasks before the forming of the government of national unity and extension of the 12 November deadline.

The Commission is particularly alarmed that the inevitable disagreement that will result from formation of the government of national unity before progress is made in respect of the two key pre-transitional tasks, will create conditions that jeopardise the lives and peace of the South Sudanese people.

In light of the above, the Commission:

  1. Strongly urges the political leaders in South Sudan to place the protection and promotion of human rights of the South Sudanese people at the centre of all negotiations towards sustainable peace and development;
  2. Reminds the Government of South Sudan and the SPLM-IO as parties to the R-ARCSS that the right of all peoples to national and international peace and security under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights entails that they bear primary responsibility for the peace of South Sudanese;
  3. Urges the parties to avoid resort to unilateral measures that endanger the peace agreement and push the country back to violent conflict, and to this end, to engage constructively to achieve meaningful progress in respect to the two key pre-transitional tasks; and
  4. Calls on the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in collaboration with the African Union and others supporting the South Sudan peace process to facilitate consensus between the South Sudanese parties on the number and boundaries of states and for a mutually agreed timeline for the unification of their armed units into a unified army, as necessary steps for preventing recurrence of armed violence and the ensuing violations of the rights of South Sudanese, including women and children.

Commissioner Solomon Ayele Dersso, Chairperson of the African Commission

Commissioner Rapporteur for the Republic of South Sudan and Focal Person of the Commission on Human Rights in Conflict Situations

South Sudan Women’s Coalition for Peace (SSWCP) Open letter to General Gabriel Jok Riak: Violence Against Woman in South Sudan must cease (04.11.2019)

South Sudan: Civil Society Forum deeply concerned that parties have not completed Implementation of critical pre-transitional tasks as November 12 deadline looms (01.11.2019)

South Sudan: Humanitarian Coordinator condemns killing of three aid workers (30.10.2019)

South Sudan: Office of the President letter to Minster of Finance Salvatore Garang Mabiordit – Subject: Cancellation of the allocation of 18 Crude Oil Cargoes to M/S General Trading LLC (28.10.2019)

Province of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan: Office of the Archbishop and Primate – The Implementation of the Peace Agreement (26.10.2019)

South Sudan: SPLM/A-(IO) Press Release – Re: On the Position of the SPLM/A-(IO) Regarding Extension of the Pre-Interim Period (24.10.2019)

South Sudan: Ministry of Finance & Planning (MoFP) – Subject: Allocation of 18 cruds Oil Cargoes (21.10.2019)

Troika Statement on the Formation of South Sudan’s Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (22.10.2019)

The following is the text of a Troika Statement on the Formation of South Sudan’s Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, October 22, 2019 – South Sudan faces a critical moment in the journey toward a peaceful and prosperous future. There are now less than four weeks for political leaders to form a transitional government as they committed to in the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan. The United States, the United Kingdom, and Norway (the Troika) have consistently welcomed assurances by the parties to implement the agreement and meet its deadlines, and hoped that recent meetings between South Sudan’s leadership show a renewed spirit of cooperation. We commend the actions of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to broker the agreement and maintain momentum and take hope from the continued reduction in overall violence in South Sudan.

For too long, conflict has been waged at the expense of South Sudan’s most vulnerable and continues to exacerbate humanitarian needs. We encourage the parties, especially the current government, to take concrete steps to build trust through enhanced cooperation. With the November 12 deadline looming, extended from May, much more needs to be done urgently to ensure the success of the transitional government. Progress would help maintain the confidence of all the parties and the international community, demonstrate that the parties have the political will to work together during the transitional period, and provide the opportunity for the international community to engage productively with an inclusive, new government.

We welcome the discussions of IGAD countries in Addis Ababa last week; the region and the international community’s investment and engagement in a peaceful South Sudan remains important. The Troika will continue to stand with and support the people of South Sudan, who want and deserve peace and a government that protects its people. We urge the South Sudanese parties to meet the November 12 deadline to form a transitional government that will enable the conditions for a constructive relationship during the next phase of South Sudan’s peace process. We encourage South Sudanese leaders to build on momentum generated by the ongoing UNSC visit to South Sudan to accelerate such progress.