South Sudan civil society urges parties to uphold ceasefire amid rising violence

JUBA — A coalition of South Sudanese civil society groups on Tuesday voiced concern over escalating violence across the country and urged all parties to the 2018 peace agreement to recommit to a permanent ceasefire and pursue dialogue as the only viable path to stability.

In a statement, the South Sudan Civil Society Alliances called on signatories to the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) to halt hostilities and refrain from actions that risk plunging the country back into widespread conflict.

“The ongoing conflict and escalating violence are deeply concerning,” the alliance said, urging political and military actors to “fully commit to the permanent ceasefire agreement” and adhere to non-violent solutions.

The appeal comes as fighting has flared in several regions in recent weeks, including Unity and Jonglei states, raising fears of a broader breakdown of the fragile peace deal that ended South Sudan’s five-year civil war in 2018.

The civil society coalition also called on the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) to urgently investigate reported ceasefire violations and ensure accountability for those responsible.

“We call on CTSAMVM to urgently investigate all reported incidents of ceasefire violations and ensure accountability,” the statement said.

The alliance urged parties to the peace agreement to resolve outstanding political and security issues through inclusive dialogue, stressing that reconciliation and unity were essential to preventing further violence.

The group said it remained committed to advocating for the full implementation of the peace agreement and to supporting efforts aimed at building a peaceful, stable and democratic South Sudan.

South Sudan has experienced repeated bouts of violence since gaining independence in 2011, despite multiple peace agreements.

Delays in implementing key provisions of the 2018 deal, including security sector reforms and elections, have continued to strain the country’s fragile transition.