- Rt Honourable Speaker,

- Rt Honourable Deputy Speakers,

- Honourable Members,

- Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen.

Good morning!

1. It is my pleasure and privilege to once again brief this esteemed Assembly pursuant to Article 7.9 of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS). This provision mandates the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) to report quarterly to among others, the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA), on the status of implementation of the R-ARCSS, followed by a detailed briefing.    

2. My briefing today provides a summary of the latest RJMEC Quarterly Report covering the period 1st October to 31st December 2025, and builds on the previous RJMEC Quarterly Reports and our previous briefings to this august House.

Right Hon. Speaker, Honourable Members,

3. During the period in question, the political and security deterioration that I have previously reported to this Assembly showed no signs of improvement. The R-ARCSS continued to face challenges as a result of persistent serious political and security violations, compounded by armed clashes between the SSPDF and SPLA-IO in different parts of the country, which constitute a serious breach of the Permanent Ceasefire. 

4. These renewed and continuing confrontations have heightened fears of a relapse into full-scale conflict, undermined ongoing efforts to consolidate peace and stability and undercut trust which was built among the parties over the years, as well as confidence in the peace process. 

5. In the political sphere, the trial of the detained First Vice President and other SPLM/A-IO leaders continued, with no end in sight. Meanwhile, several opposition members have been unilaterally dismissed from different portfolios in contravention of the responsibility-sharing arrangements of the R-ARCSS.

6. In terms of dialogue to resolve the impasse, some action was observed. In late November and early December, the South Sudanese Stakeholders and Adherents initiated a dialogue with the signatory Parties to the R-ARCSS in an attempt to address some of the impediments to implementation of the R-ARCSS. However, efforts to progress the dialogue beyond its preliminary stages faced challenges and resulted in its deferral to a later date.

7. On 10th December 2025, President Salva Kiir Mayardit convened an ‘expanded’ meeting of the Presidency and discussed the status of implementation of the R-ARCSS and elections in December 2026. Under Article 1.5.1 of the Agreement, the Presidency comprises the President, the First Vice President and the Four Vice Presidents. The First Vice President, who ranks higher than the other Vice Presidents, did not participate since he is still under detention and trial.

8. According to a statement released by the RTGoNU, the meeting was to endorse proposals for amendment of the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan (TCRSS) 2011, and specific provisions of the R-ARCSS to pave the way for the conduct of elections by the end of the Transitional Period. The proposed amendments seek, inter-alia, to de-link national elections from the permanent constitution, to conduct elections under the TCRSS (2011), to reduce the time period for publication of the voter register, and to remove the supremacy of the R-ARCSS. 

9. On 17th December 2025, the ‘expanded’ meeting of the Presidency adopted the proposal to amend the R-ARCSS specifically Articles 1.2.5; 1.2.14; 1.20.5; 1.20.6; 1.20.10; 6.4; 8.2; and 8.3; Annexure D (Articles 1.19.5; 1.20.5; and 1.19.9) as well as the title of Chapter VIII of the R-ARCSS. By the end of the Quarter, the resolution of the ‘expanded’ Presidency awaited adoption by the Council of Ministers of the RTGoNU, consent by RJMEC members, and ratification by the Transitional National Legislature as provided for under Article 8.4 of the R-ARCSS. 

10. While the R-ARCSS under Article 8.4 provides for amendment of the R-ARCSS and the TCRSS 2011, during the Transitional Period, such an amendment must be properly initiated as per Article 1.1.9.4 of the R-ARCSS. This article provides, among others, that the power to initiate an amendment to TCRSS (2011) and the R-ARCSS can only be initiated by the President, the First Vice President, or any of the Vice Presidents, and requires the agreement of the others.

11. The Transitional National Legislature (TNL) continued to perform its functions during the reporting period and passed several key pieces of legislation and budgetary measures aimed at strengthening the country's legal and economic frameworks. Key among them are the Cybersecurity and Computer Misuse Bill 2025, which aims to regulate online activities, criminalizing hacking, impersonation, and false information and the East African Community Treaty Bill 2025.

12. In terms of elections, the chairperson of the National Elections Commission declared on 22nd December 2025 that South Sudan would use the geographical constituency boundaries from the 2010 general elections for the December 2026 elections. The 102 national geographical constituencies cover all the ten (10) States and the three (03) Administrative Areas. This is a matter that still requires political consensus and underscores the need for urgent inclusive dialogue. 

13. As the last quarter of 2025 drew to a close, the preconditions for the conduct of credible elections had not been met, including ensuring that a conducive legal, security, political, civic and economic environment is guaranteed. With just under 12 months to the elections, the unification of forces, making of the permanent constitution, judicial reforms, operationalization of the State High Committees, funding, among others, ought to have been completed. 

14. In terms of the Permanent Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements, armed clashes have escalated during the reporting period, mainly between the SSPDF and opposition forces, such as the SPLA-IO and the National Salvation Front (NAS). Both SSPDF and SPLM/A-IO continued to advance their military postures, and there have been no noticeable efforts by the RTGoNU to halt fighting between the SSPDF and opposition forces. Although the SSPDF took control of the Nasir military base, leading to reduced skirmishes in the general area of Nasir and Ulang Counties, CTSMVM reports indicated fighting in Upper Nile, northern part of Jonglei, Unity, Western Bahr El Ghazal, Western Equatoria, Central Equatoria and Eastern Equatoria States.

15. Despite CTSAMVM’s concerted efforts to fulfil its mandate, its capacity to fully investigate violations remained constrained during the reporting period. Meanwhile, no progress was made in advancing the implementation of the Transitional Security Arrangements, including unification and deployment of forces as required by the R-ARCSS.

Right Hon. Speaker, Honourable Members,

16. In terms of the humanitarian situation, South Sudan faced worsening humanitarian conditions marked by food insecurity, flooding, displacement, climate shocks, disease outbreaks, economic collapse and conflict.  By the end of 2025, these overlapping humanitarian crises left over 10 million people needing assistance. As these needs increased, the situation was exacerbated by funding constraints, which impacted service delivery. Further, humanitarian access was severely constrained by various factors, including conflict, flooding, bureaucratic impediments and insecurity, leaving millions of people without timely aid.

17. Gender-Based Violence (GBV) remained a concern during the reporting period as women and girls in displacement camps faced increased risks of sexual violence, harassment, and exploitation. Conflict and insecurity limited safe movement, with reports of attacks during firewood collection, water fetching, and travel to markets. GBV services were overstretched, leaving survivors with limited access to psychosocial support, medical care, and legal protection.

18. Regarding Resource, Economic and Financial Management, the RTGoNU, in collaboration with the World Bank, conducted training for staff of the Directorate of Accounts to lay the foundation for implementing the Treasury Single Account (TSA) and improving cash consolidation procedures, which together enables the government to obtain a comprehensive overview of its cash resources, strengthening oversight of public finances as required in the R-ARCSS.

19. Additionally, the RTGoNU engaged with the World Bank under the Public Finance Management Institutional Strengthening (PFMIS) Project to secure support for comprehensive verification and clearance of arrears across government ministries, departments, and agencies. The goal, still some way off, is to have a functioning TSA, effective cash management, expenditure controls, debt management and macro-fiscal forecasting, which relies on comprehensive, reliable, accurate, and timely data from the IFMIS system. 

20. During this reporting period, steps towards institutional improvement were taken by the National Audit Chamber, the Anti-Corruption Commission, and the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority. 

21. On Transitional Justice, the Selection Panel of the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation and Healing (CTRH) commenced the recruitment of the four South Sudanese Commissioners. Subsequently, it assessed 127 applications, shortlisted 47 candidates and called for public comments on their suitability to be members of the CTRH. Regarding the selection process for the three non-South Sudanese CTRH Commissioners, the African Union Commission and the United Nations are closely collaborating in their recruitment. However, no progress was registered towards the establishment of the Hybrid Court for South Sudan (HCSS) or in operationalising the Compensation and Reparation Authority (CRA). 

22. In terms of the permanent constitution-making process, the National Constitutional Review Commission (NCRC) commenced civic education and public consultations exercises in eight States and one Administrative Area.  The intention is to continue, despite the proposal by some parties to the RTGoNU to amend the R-ARCSS and delink the constitution-making process from elections. The making of a people led and people owned constitution is indispensable for achieving lasting peace, security, and democratisation in this country. 

Right Hon. Speaker, Honourable Members,

23. On 7th October, RJMEC held its 4th Extraordinary meeting during which it recommended that, in order to restore fidelity to the R-ARCSS, the RTGoNU leadership and all Parties to the R-ARCSS were recommended to take bold steps to urgently address the ongoing political and security impediments and to restore the implementation process. A key message delivered by RJMEC was to cease all forms of hostilities, embrace inclusive dialogue, reactivate the implementing institutions and mechanisms of the Agreement and fully adhere to the Permanent Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements.

24. The current trajectory of the peace process calls into serious question the commitment of the Parties to implement the R-ARCSS and deliver the elections as scheduled. Therefore, RJMEC offers the following recommendations to this august House:

a. encourage all signatories to the R-ARCSS to cease hostilities, release detainees, engage in inclusive dialogue and agree on practical steps to realise free, fair and credible elections and a democratic end to the Transitional Period as provided for under the R-ARCSS;

b. encourage all signatories to the R-ARCSS to adhere strictly to Agreement’s provisions, including by reinstating the unilaterally dismissed opposition members to their portfolios as per the responsibility-sharing arrangements;

c. encourage the RTGoNU to adhere to the provisions of the R-ARCSS, including Articles 1.9.4.1 and 8.4 of the R-ARCSS on the initiation of any amendment of the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan (TCRSS) 2011 (as amended) and R-ARCSS through consultation, consensus and agreement of all the principals to the R-ARCSS;

d. encourage the RTGoNU to re-activate the implementation mechanisms of the Agreement, and to ensure the protection and expansion of political and civic space to facilitate the conduct of free, fair and credible democratic elections;

e. urge the signatories to the R-ARCSS to abandon all actions that undermine the R-ARCSS, particularly unilateral decisions and breaches of the ceasefire resulting in loss of life, property and displacement, in order to guarantee humanitarian access and civilian protection; and

f. prevail on the Executive of the RTGoNU to expedite implementation of the JRC report and its recommendations, in letter and spirit, especially the review and amendment of the Judiciary Act and reconstitution of the JSC to implement the reforms; and

g. consider expediting the enactment of all the pending amended legislation in support of the implementation of the R-ARCSS.

25. Right Hon. Speaker, Honourable Members, in closing I would like to emphasise that unless urgent measures are undertaken to restore inclusive dialogue, uphold the sanctity of the R-ARCSS, and ensure inclusivity, South Sudan risks sliding back into instability, jeopardising the hard-won gains of the peace process.

I Thank You.

Signed

H.E. AMB. MAJ. GEN. GEORGE AGGREY OWINOW (rtd)

INTERIM CHAIRPERSON OF RJMEC