Ceasefire monitor warns political, security climate threatens credible elections

JUBA – South Sudan’s ceasefire monitoring body has warned that the country is not yet ready to hold the planned December 2026 general elections, citing delays in implementing key provisions of the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement.

The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) said critical conditions required for credible, peaceful, and inclusive elections remain incomplete, raising concerns over the preparedness of the country’s electoral process.

Speaking during the United Nations Security Council meeting on Wednesday, the Interim Chairperson of RJMEC, Maj. Gen. George Aggrey Owinow, said progress in implementing the 2018 peace agreement has been slowed by political and security deadlock following the March 2026 Nasir incident.

“Overall, progress has been significantly constrained by the persistent political and security impasse that has endured since March 2025, amidst a challenging humanitarian and economic environment,” he said.

Gen. Aggrey cautioned that the country could relapse into renewed conflict if urgent steps are not taken to restore momentum in implementing the 2018 peace agreement.

He said repeated ceasefire violations, political disagreements, unilateral decisions within the transitional government, and disruptions to peace institutions had eroded trust among the parties and slowed progress in implementing key provisions of the peace agreement.

With less than five months remaining before the elections scheduled for 22 December 2026, he said preparations remained “far behind schedule.”

Gen. Aggrey warned that several critical conditions required for free, peaceful, and inclusive elections have yet to be fulfilled.

He said they include resolving outstanding political and legal issues, completing the unification of the security forces, safeguarding political and civic freedoms, ensuring adequate funding for electoral institutions, and improving security in conflict-affected areas.

The Kenyan retired general also criticized recent amendments to the peace agreement that delink the permanent constitution-making process and national census, saying the changes were made without following the procedures outlined in the agreement.

He claimed fighting continues in parts of Upper Nile, Jonglei, Unity, and Equatoria, involving government forces, opposition groups, and armed holdout factions.

“The implementation of the permanent ceasefire remains incomplete, while security reforms, including the second phase of the unification of forces and the disarmament process, have stalled.”

He said renewed violence, displacement, food insecurity, and restrictions on humanitarian access continue to worsen conditions for civilians while limiting the participation of women, youth, and persons with disabilities in political processes.

He highlighted progress in public financial management reforms, saying oil production remains above 170,000 barrels a day and efforts to improve transparency in oil revenue management are underway.

“RJMEC remains concerned about the danger posed to regional and international peace with a potential collapse of the R-ARCSS and a relapse to violence in South Sudan if urgent, firm, and decisive steps are not taken.”

The head of commission appealed to the UN Security Council to send a solidarity mission to Juba to engage South Sudan’s leaders and help find a way out of the political deadlock.

He also urged all parties to reduce tensions; stop hostilities; release political detainees, including the first vice president; and recommit themselves to implementing the peace agreement.

South Sudan signed the Revitalized Peace Agreement in 2018 to end a five-year civil war that killed hundreds of thousands of people and displaced millions.

The agreement paved the way for a transitional government and reforms leading to the country’s first democratic elections, now scheduled for 22 December 2026.

However, repeated delays in implementing key provisions of the agreement have continued to raise concerns over whether the country is ready for the vote.