JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN

- H.E. Ambassador James Kariuki, President of the UN Security Council;

- Distinguished Members of the Council;

- Excellencies;

- Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen.

Mr President,

1. May I begin by congratulating you on assuming the presidency of the Security Council for this month. I would also like to convey my thanks for inviting the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) to address this esteemed Council.

2. The RJMEC is the official oversight body responsible for monitoring and evaluating the status of implementation of the 2018 Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS), and it is mandated under Article 7.10 of the R-ARCSS to submit status of implementation reports quarterly, followed by detailed briefings to, inter alia, the United Nations Security Council.

3. My report today builds on my last briefing to this esteemed Council, delivered on 18 August 2025, when I provided an update on the substantial deterioration in the political and security situation in the Republic of South Sudan, and on RJMEC’s latest quarterly report covering the period 1st October 2025 to 31st December 2025. 

Mr President, Esteemed Council Members,

4. Since my last briefing, the political and security situation in the Republic of South Sudan has continued to deteriorate, placing the implementation of the R-ARCSS in serious jeopardy. Politically, the responsibility-sharing arrangements of the Peace Agreement continue to deteriorate through removals and replacements of opposition representatives from different portfolios of the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) executive and legislature at national and state levels.  In addition, H.E. Dr Riek Machar Teny, First Vice President and Chairperson of the SPLM/A-IO, remains in detention and on trial together with other SPLM/A-IO officials. Meanwhile, some decisions are being made within the RTGoNU without the consensus of all Agreement signatories as required by the R-ARCSS.

5. On the security situation, the permanent ceasefire has been severely violated since March 2025. The clashes between the SSPDF and SPLA-IO show no signs of abating, evident by the ongoing military offensive in the Upper Nile and Jonglei States and repeated clashes reported in different parts of the greater Equatoria region. According to reports from Ceasefire and Transitional Security Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM), military confrontations between the SSPDF and the SPLA-IO and allied forces have occurred in six out of the ten States and three Administrative Areas, triggering a new wave of civilian displacement and humanitarian hardships. 

6. In December 2025 alone, CTSAMVM documented 76 alleged ceasefire violations, 21 incidents of hostilities and 25 incidents of violence against civilians and humanitarian actors. Those numbers further increased in January 2026 to 87 alleged ceasefire violations, of which 30 of the incidents were reported hostilities between the signatory parties and 26 incidents of violence against civilians and humanitarian actors. Amidst the ongoing ceasefire violations, CTSAMVM faces serious financial and operational challenges affecting its capability to verify all the alleged violations. The reporting and especially investigative capacity have, in recent years, been critically reduced due to continuous cuts in donor support. As we are approaching the scheduled elections for December this year, it is highly regrettable that CTSAMVM is severely confined by financial stress.

7. Despite the continuous appeal for de-escalation, ceasefire, political dialogue and adherence to the provisions of the R-ARCSS, repeated actions to the contrary have seriously undermined confidence in the peace process and risk returning the country back to war. With time fast running out, any further deterioration of the security situation, coupled with failure by the RTGoNU to urgently address the political stalemate and commence genuine and inclusive dialogue on a viable way forward, including on the conduct of elections and a peaceful end to the Transitional Period, poses a great risk to the Peace Agreement.

Mr President, Distinguished Council Members,

8. In light of the aforementioned, RJMEC recommends to this Council the following urgent actions to restore the sanctity of the R-ARCSS and to encourage a return to its full implementation. The Council to:

a) Prevail on the Parties to the Agreement to cease all hostilities, embrace all-inclusive genuine dialogue, and re-activate the Agreement implementation mechanisms;

b) Immediately restore and respect the Permanent Ceasefire, and embark on the full reunification and professionalisation of security forces under a single non-partisan command. 

c) Urge the leadership in Juba to preserve the peace, promote reconciliation, resolve political disagreements through dialogue and address disputes through the mechanisms of the R-ARCSS;

d) Assist the RTGoNU to resolve the current political and security impasse and find a political solution to the issue of the First Vice President and all political detainees to pave the way to meaningful dialogue to a peaceful end to the Transitional Period; and

e) Call upon the RTGoNU to reconstitute itself as per the provisions of the R-ARCSS, particularly restoring SPLM-IO portfolios and move with urgency to implement the R-ARCSS in letter and spirit, and adhere strictly to its provisions, including upholding its supremacy; and

f) Remain seized of the situation in the Republic of South Sudan.

9. As I conclude, I would like to appeal to this esteemed Council to use its good offices to support the implementation of the Revitalised Peace Agreement. To date, the R-ARCSS has delivered significant peace dividends, which should be consolidated, and it remains the only viable available pathway to building an enduring peace in South Sudan.  

I Thank You!

 -   Chairperson of the AU Peace and Security Council,

-  Commissioner for the AU Political Affairs, Peace and Security

-  Your Excellencies, Distinguished Permanent Representatives

-  Ladies and Gentlemen.

Good afternoon!

Your Excellency,

1.   Thank you for inviting the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) to brief this esteemed Council on the current situation in the Republic of South Sudan and the status of the implementation of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS), pursuant to its mandate.

2.   This briefing builds on my last briefing to this Council on 28th October 2025, and the RJMEC’s most recent quarterly report covering the period 1st October 2025 to 31st December 2025, which will soon be published. 

3.   As the official oversight body overseeing the implementation of the R-ARCSS, I wish to inform this Council that the political and security situation in the Republic of South Sudan has greatly continued to deteriorate, and the implementation of the Revitalised Peace Agreement has been severely undermined. 

4.   In addition to the previously reported March 7th Nasir incident and its aftermath, as well as the subsequent arrest, detention, and prosecution of the First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny and other top SPLM/A-IO officials before an ad-hoc Special Court, serious violations of the R-ARCSS continue unabated. 

5.   The unilateral removals and replacement of opposition nominated representatives from their various portfolios in the Executive of the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) and the Transitional National Legislature at national and state levels continue, without consultation and consensus, which is eroding the power-sharing framework of the R-ARCSS. 

6.     In terms of security, there are growing incidents of armed clashes between the SSPDF and SPLA-IO in different parts of the country, including in Jonglei, Upper Nile, Unity, Western Bahr El Ghazal, Eastern Equatoria and Western Equatoria States, in clear breach of the Permanent Ceasefire. According to reports from CTSAMVM, the incidents of armed clashes have occurred in six out of the ten States and three administrative areas.

7.     These developments pose a serious threat of irretrievable breakdown of the Permanent Ceasefire between the SPLA-IO and the SSPDF if urgent steps are not taken to cease the current hostilities and resume dialogue at the highest political level. This will require addressing the issue of the detained First Vice President and the other SPLM/A-IO leaders being prosecuted, embracing dialogue and returning to full implementation of the R-ARCSS in letter and spirit.

8.     Consequently, the humanitarian and economic situation continues to worsen, and is exacerbated by the ongoing armed conflict, climate shocks, depreciation of the national currency, the SSP, and cross‑border displacement from Sudan. The people of South Sudan are once again bearing the brunt of renewed conflicts.

    Your Excellency

9.   At the end of last year, the Presidency and other political leaders met and proposed the delinking of the Permanent Constitution-making process and the National Population and Housing Census from the 2026 elections. By implication, these would require amending specific provisions of the R-ARCSS. A technical committee of the Parties was therefore assigned the task of identifying the provisions of the R-ARCSS requiring such amendments. 

10.    Subsequently, the Council of Ministers approved the technical committee’s proposal for amending the R-ARCSS, as incorporated into the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan (TCRSS), 2011 (as amended).  Last week, the RTGoNU submitted the proposal to the RJMEC for its consideration, as per Article 8.4 of the R-ARCSS. In this regard, I have organised a series of consultative meetings with RJMEC members, stakeholders, partners and guarantors of the R-ARCSS with a view to arrive at a consensus that will determine its endorsement or otherwise.  

11.    In particular, several members of the RJMEC have raised concerns over the continued suspension and detention of the SPLM/A-IO Chairperson and First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan, H.E. Dr Riek Machar Teny and his exclusion from such serious decision-making process and the ongoing unilateral replacements of SPLM/A-IO representatives from their ministerial and legislative portfolios. 

Your Excellency

12.    In light of the aforementioned, RJMEC recommends to this Council the following urgent actions to restore the sanctity of the R-ARCSS and to encourage a return to its full implementation. 

a.    Prevail on the Parties to the Agreement to cease all forms of hostilities, embrace inclusive genuine dialogue, re-activate the implementation mechanisms of the Agreement and fully adhere to the Permanent Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements. 

b.    Urge the leadership in Juba to desist from taking actions that further erode the political trust and confidence in the Revitalised Peace Agreement and ensure that the political disagreements are resolved through dialogue and disputes are addressed through the mechanisms of the R-ARCSS;

c.    Assist the RTGoNU to resolve the current political and security impasse and secure the release of the First Vice President and all political detainees in order to facilitate meaningful dialogue and a return to the implementation of the R-ARCSS;

d.   In support of the peace process, mobilise and extend financial and logistical support to facilitate the expeditious implementation of the critical tasks of the R-ARCSS, including completion of the unification of forces, the making of the permanent constitution and preparations for elections;

e.    Call upon the RTGoNU to reconstitute itself as per the provisions of the R-ARCSS, particularly restoring SPLM-IO portfolios and move with urgency to implement the R-ARCSS in letter and spirit, and to adhere strictly to its provisions, including upholding its supremacy; 

f.     Appeal to all the Parties to the R-ARCSS to embrace dialogue and to 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;

g.    Engage the RTGoNU with a view to expediting the establishment of the Hybrid Court for South Sudan to investigate, and if necessary, prosecute those bearing responsibility for any crimes committed during this Transitional Period; 

h.   Consider putting in place measures to hold peace spoilers and violators of the R-ARCSS accountable; and 

i.     Remain seized of the situation in the Republic of South Sudan. 

I Thank You.

 .       CTSAMVM Chairperson, Maj. Gen. Teshome Anagawe Ayana

·       Honourable Ministers

·       Excellencies, Heads of Mission

·       Distinguished Generals

·       CTSAMVM Board Members

·       Ladies and Gentlemen

Good Morning!

1.   Let me start by commending the CTSAMVM Chairperson for convening this extraordinary meeting. This is the first CTSAMVM Board meeting since March this year. The political and security crises the Peace Agreement has experienced since the Nasir incident, also in March this year, have been very disruptive to its work, and indeed the Peace Agreement overall. I would like to thank the CTSAMVM leadership for keeping RJMEC and IGAD well-informed about the operational and administrative challenges this very important mechanism has been facing, and continues to face. This meeting is therefore very timely, and the Board is well-positioned to provide guidance to the CTSAMVM in the delivery of its mandate. 

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen

2.   I feel honoured to attend this gathering and address you at this 4th CTSAMVM Extraordinary meeting. CTSAMVM was established pursuant to Article 4 of the Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (ARCSS 2015) and reconstituted in 2018 pursuant to Articles 2.4.7.  and 2.4.8. of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS), 2018. It is the only mechanism mandated by the R-ARCSS to monitor the Parties’ compliance with the provisions of Chapter II, specifically the Permanent Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements, and duly report to the RJMEC and IGAD. 

3.   Thus, CTSAMVM is IGAD’s and RJMEC’s eyes and ears in South Sudan in as far as the Parties’ compliance with Chapter II is concerned. At a strategic level, CTSAMVM is a very important confidence-building mechanism for all the Parties to the Agreement and the people of South Sudan. It does this through its independence, impartiality in monitoring and reporting, and above all, the joint participation of all the Parties with arms at all levels of CTSAMVM structures, including the Board. However, CTSAMVM’s work is not without challenges.

4.   From RJMEC’s perspective, the challenges facing CTSAMVM include reduced mobility as a result of climatic conditions, lack of essential equipment, and the reduction in the number of Monitoring and Verification Teams (MVTs) due to financial constraints, and a backlog of reported violations pending investigation.  

5.   As one of the outcomes of this meeting, I would like to urge the CTSAMVM Board to provide guidance in meeting these challenges, so that CTSAMVM can resume investigations and produce reports awaited by the Parties and the people of South Sudan, as well as the region and the international community. I encourage all of you to share concrete ideas that will enhance CTSAMVM’s work for the benefit of us all. 

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen

6.   I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Parties, the regional and international partners for contributing personnel to the hardworking CTSAMVM HQ and the MVTs. It is also very important to mention the invaluable financial support provided to CTSAMVM by donors. The donor climate has changed since the establishment of CTSAMVM in 2015, and the world over is facing economic challenges. Therefore, I would like to express my gratitude to the donor community for committing financial resources not only to CTSAMVM but to RJMEC as well, despite the challenging financial situation their nations are facing. 

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen

7.   In conclusion, I would like to appreciate you all for your hard work as members of the CTSAMVM Board. You all have busy schedules, but you always take time to attend Board meetings.  

Thank You!

 -         Honourable Ministers, 

-         Excellencies,

-         Ladies and Gentlemen,

-         Good morning!

1.    I welcome you all to the 4th Extraordinary Plenary meeting of the RJMEC. I assumed this office as the Interim Chairperson on the 1st March 2025 amid unfolding events which prevented us from convening monthly plenaries due to a number of unfortunate developments.

2.    As you may recall, our planned end of March meeting was cancelled at the last minute on advice from government due to security concerns. Proposed meetings in April, May and June were also postponed due to concerns raised by a number of RJMEC members on their timing due to various reasons. In June and July, the Interim Chairperson was requested by the regional leaders for a series of briefing sessions on the situation in the Republic of South Sudan and also to receive some strategic guidance. 

3.    Despite not being able to meet, the RJMEC has continued to prepare and disseminate detailed quarterly reports, i.e., 1st quarter report January – March 2025, 2nd quarter report April-June 2025, and the 3rd quarter report July to September 2025 will be ready in due course. Above all these, I have since held several rounds of consultative meetings with you, bilaterally and in separate groups on varied issues related to the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) with the intent of upholding its fidelity.  

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, 

4.    The main objectives of convening this Extraordinary Plenary today, are therefore, as follows: 

a.    to provide an update to the RJMEC members on the status of the implementation of the R-ARCSS, and the impact of the recent developments on the peace process;

b.    to provide a platform to the RJMEC members, as peace monitors, to deliberate on the current status of the Agreement implementation; and 

c.     to recommend appropriate remedial measures to the RTGoNU,  the Parties to the R-ARCSS, and to the regional guarantors with a view to restoring the full and inclusive implementation of the R-ARCSS.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

5.    On the implementation of the R-ARCSS, this has been largely affected. What started as a series of political and security tensions culminated into fatal clashes, including the 7th March incident in Nasir County, Upper Nile State, that claimed the life of a senior SSPDF General and an UNMISS helicopter crew member, among other fatalities. This was followed several arrests, detentions and subsequently arraignment in court of senior SPLM/A-IO leadership, a minister, an RJMEC member, senior military leaders and politicians, among them H.E. Dr. Riek Machar Teny Dhurgon, First Vice President. The Special Court is currently in session on the matter. The rippling effect of this incident affected some implementation mechanisms, whose personnel either left or are not participating effectively. A case in point is the CTSAMVM, where SPLA-IO representation at the headquarters has been problematic and the Monitoring and Verification Team in Malakal has been dysfunctional. 

As this situation prevailed, RJMEC intensified its diplomatic engagements, particularly nationally and within the region. RJMEC urged the regional and international guarantors to urgently apply their diplomatic influence to resolve the political and security deadlock between the SPLM/A-IO and ITGoNU. RJMEC called for an immediate ceasefire, dialogue, release of detainees and return to focus on the implementation of the R-ARCSS. This call was widely supported by national, regional and international peace actors. 

6.    On the humanitarian front, the situation resulted in the destruction of healthcare and supply chain infrastructure, to the effect that insecurity and the weather especially flooding affected citizens in many counties.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, 

7.    All the aforementioned has had a negative effect and undermined trust and confidence in the peace process. It has also called into serious question the commitment of the Parties to the R-ARCSS in letter and spirit. It has equally thrown a spotlight on the role of the national, regional and international guarantors and peace partners. There is no doubt therefore that the R-ARCSS is facing its greatest challenge since its signing. If the current challenges are not urgently addressed, there is a high risk of reversal of the gains already made and may lead to a collapse of the Agreement altogether.

8.    In RJMEC’s analysis, the persistence of the current political and security impasse and the systematic violations of the R-ARCSS is attributable to several factors, including, among others, the following:

a.    Mistrust between the Parties to the R-ARCSS, hence inability to openly and honestly dialogue on issues. This mistrust therefore erodes the political will to push implementation of the R-ARCSS forward.

b.    Lack of collegiality and genuine consultations by Parties to the R-ARCSS resulting in unilateral decisions that further erode trust.

c.     Internal party disputes which affect effective participation in the mechanisms and generally in the implementation process.

d.    The slow traction in unifying forces that has resulted in the forces of two major parties clashing in several parts of the country, which is a serious violation of the Permanent Ceasefire and threat to the R-ARCSS.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, 

9.        In my role as Interim Chairperson, I have regularly engaged the RTGoNU, the Parties to the R-ARCSS, Stakeholders and Adherents, Regional Guarantors, International Partners and Friends of South Sudan in an effort to address emerging issues as pertains to the R-ARCSS.

10.    I have also briefed the regional, continental, and international guarantors on a very regular basis on the status of the implementation of the R-ARCSS. Particularly, I briefed H.E. Ismail Omar Guelleh, the President of the Republic of Djibouti, and Chair of the Assembly of the IGAD Heads of State and Government, H.E Abdoulkader Houssein Omar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Djibouti and Chair of the IGAD Council of Ministers, and other regional leaders and senior state officials.

11.    Furthermore, I briefed the AU Peace and Security Council, the UN Security Council, as well as the AU Panel of the Wise and a joint IGAD and AU delegation in Juba. In these briefings, I highlighted the deteriorating political and security situation in the country, and the ongoing violations of the R-ARCSS. In all these engagements, I have drawn their attention to the serious violations of the R-ARCSS and recommended appropriate remedial measures to safeguard the peace process. 

12.    Recently, RJMEC conducted an audit of the implementing institutions and mechanisms of the Agreement. This confirmed that the current political and security situation has taken a heavy toll on many institutions and mechanisms of the Agreement at the national and State levels, in terms of representation and participation of the Parties to the R-ARCSS as provided for in the responsibility-sharing arrangements. The impasse has led to a systematic violation of the responsibility-sharing arrangements across all crucial bodies including functionality of the executive and legislature alike. The violation must be addressed urgently to return the implementation process back on track. 

13.    I have appealed to the Parties and all peace partners to focus their attention to restore full fidelity to the R-ARCSS in order to safeguard the gains of the peace Agreement and to prevent a relapse to violence in South Sudan. 

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, 

14.     My assessment is that the region, the continent and the international community are well aware of the precarious situation that South Sudan finds itself in. It is a shared concern, generally, that despite the commendable progress that had been made since the signing of the R-ARCSS in September 2018, the country is once again at a pivotal moment.

15.     Their views are unanimous that the responsibility for addressing this crisis and for its escalation lies squarely with the RTGoNU leadership and the Parties to the R-ARCSS through the mechanisms provided for, under the Revitalised Peace Agreement. 

16.     RJMEC is therefore seriously concerned with the recent developments on this matter, particularly when parts of the Agreement are continuously violated, in total disregard to its letter and spirit. 

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

17.     In view of the above, it is my expectation that the RJMEC members will use this Extraordinary Plenary to: 

a.      urge the Parties to the R-ARCSS to cease all forms of hostilities, embrace inclusive dialogue, re-activate the implementing institutions and mechanisms of the Agreement and fully adhere to the Permanent Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements;

b.      urge the leadership of all the Parties to the Revitalised Agreement to desist from taking actions that further erode the political trust and confidence in the Revitalised Agreement and resolve the political crisis through dialogue and through Agreement institutions and mechanisms;

c.       urge for the expansion and protection of political and civic space to enable the return of peace partners to the Agreement mechanisms and further the creation of a conducive environment for implementation of elections and Constitution-making related tasks, noting barely 13 months are left to December 2026, which is the date of elections as scheduled; and

d.      urge the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) to faithfully adhere to its mandate to implement the R-ARCSS in letter and spirit to realise free, fair and credible elections as scheduled. 

18.    In light of the aforementioned, I would like to urge the RTGoNU to re-activate and re-energize the functionality of all the Agreement institutions and mechanisms, especially the Joint Defense Board and all other Security Mechanisms, fast-tract the Constitution-making and Electoral process by availing adequate funding to all the institutions to enable timely implementation of their respective mandates.

19.    I thank you and wish you fruitful deliberations. 

I Thank You!

H.E. Gen Kuol Manyang Juuk, Senior Presidential Advisor and Chairperson of NTC;

H.E. Ambassador Chol Mawut, Minister of Presidential Affairs;

Hon. Dr Martin Elia Lomuro, Minister of Cabinet Affairs;

Professor Abednego Akok Kacuol, Chairperson of the NEC;

Hon. General Augustino Jadalla Wani, Governor of Central Equatoria State;

H.E. Nicholas Haysom, UNMISS SRSG;

H.E. Prof. Ambassador Joram Biswaro, SRCC and Head of the African Union Mission in South Sudan;

H.E. Michael Adler, US Ambassador;

Gathered Dignitaries;

Ladies and Gentlemen;

Good afternoon!

1.   It is my pleasure and honour to say a few words at such an auspicious occasion as this one. The opening of the office of the National Elections Commission State High Elections Committee for Central Equatoria is an important milestone for which I commend the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity and the National Elections Commission.

2.   We are no doubt all aware that Article 1.2.13 of the Revitalised Peace Agreement provides for the reconstitution of “a competent and independent National Elections Commission to conduct free, fair and credible elections before the end of the Transitional Period and ensure that the outcome reflects the will of the electorate.” Accordingly, it is gratifying to know that the State High Committees have been appointed and are operational, and that necessary concrete steps, including institutional strengthening and capacity building of its personnel, among others, are being undertaken to prepare for free, fair and inclusive elections.

3.   The State High Committee is mandated to administer and supervise elections at state level. As such, a wide range of technical tasks must take place for free, fair and inclusive elections to be held, including recommending polling station locations, distribution of electoral material at state level, conducting voter registration, and undertaking electoral voter education and civic education programmes. For the state of Central Equatoria, such processes will be driven from this office under the supervision of the NEC. 

4.   However, as much as the physical space for preparing for and holding elections is needed, other types of space are also needed, chiefly political and civic space. The ongoing process of building a united, peaceful and prosperous society in South Sudan requires the will of the people to be faithfully reflected in their own governance, which is best articulated through genuine multiparty elections.

5.   To best achieve this, the protection and expansion of political and civic space is needed, thereby facilitating the inclusion of all stakeholders, particularly women and young people in the processes. One of those processes is the making of a people-led and people-owned Permanent Constitution, a requirement of the Revitalised Peace Agreement which will guide the conduct of elections.

 6.   Furthermore, the issue of security is important. Successful elections rely on a secure environment in which political parties can campaign, and a secure environment in which people can vote. Without true security and meaningful inclusion of all South Sudan’s diverse peoples, the elections will not achieve their intended results.

 7.   RJMEC welcomes the positive step of opening this office, and congratulates the National Elections Commission for this milestone. At the same time, so that elections can remain a realistic goal, RJMEC appeals to the Parties to the Agreement to cease hostilities, resume political dialogue, and return their focus to the implementation of the Revitalised Agreement, as ones determined “to compensate our people by recommitting ourselves to peace and constitutionalism and not to repeat mistakes of the past”, as the Preamble of the Agreement promises the population of South Sudan.

8.       The success of the NEC and the entire electoral process depends not only on the Commission, but on the collective will and cooperation of all political leaders, government institutions, civil society, and the people themselves. We call upon all parties to put the interests of the nation above individual or partisan considerations, to renounce violence, and to commit to peaceful and respectful competition.

9.       RJMEC therefore urges the RTGoNU to provide the necessary support, including political, legal, and financial support, to ensure that the National Elections Commission can carry out its mandate effectively and independently. In this regard, RJMEC appeals to the region and development partners to continue their invaluable support, both technical and material, as South Sudan navigates this critical phase of the transition to a democratic dispensation.

10.   May God bless the Republic of South Sudan.

I thank you. 

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• Hon. Esther Ikere Eluzai, Undersecretary Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare

• Mr. Guang Cong, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the UN

• Ms. Delphine Serumaga, Country Representative of the UN Women South Sudan

• Hon. Dr. Riang Yer Zuor, Chairperson of the National Constitutional Review Commission,

• Distinguished Guests,

• Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. It an honor to address you all at this important workshop dedicate to discuss on how to enhance the active role of women’s leadership in the constitution-making process in the Republic of South Sudan.

2. This meeting comes at a very climactic moment in South Sudan’s transitional period– a moment that calls for bold and farsighted leadership, cessation of hostilities, des-escalation of violence, inclusive political dialogue, and reconstitution of Agreement implementing mechanisms to ensure a return to full implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement.

3. The ongoing hostilities in some areas of the country raise concerns regarding the commitment of the Parties to the R-ARCSS and whether they are going to accomplish the pending tasks of the R-ARCSS to usher in the country towards its first post-independent democratic elections in December 2026.

4. As RJMEC, we have been engaging with various national, regional and international interlocutors in a bid to prevent violence, de-escalate the ongoing tension, and to appeal for an inclusive political dialogue as the way forward. Consequently, the swift efforts of the regional leaders, envoys, the IGAD Summit, AU Peace and Security Council, the AU Panel of the Wise, the joint IGAD Deputy Executive Secretary and the AU Commission Chairperson’s solidarity mission to South Sudan, the United Nations general efforts were a demonstration of the regional and international community commitment towards the South Sudan peace process.

5. Time is of the essence if we are to collectively deliver elections as scheduled. One of the critical pending tasks for elections is the making of the permanent constitution, which require full participation of the whole spectrum of South Sudanese society in which the role of women should be recognized as of paramount importance. 

6. Women’s participation in constitution making is not simply a matter of policy preference; it is a fundamental right, enshrined in international treaties such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Maputo Protocol. These instruments affirm that women must have an equal voice in shaping the laws and institutions that govern their lives.

7. In South Sudan, the need for women’s leadership in constitution making is even more urgent. South Sudan’s history of conflict has left deep scars, and women have borne unique and disproportionate brunt – from displacement and loss of livelihoods to conflict related sexual and gender-based violence as well as exclusion from decision-making. Ensuring women’s meaningful participation is therefore not only a legal obligation, but also a critical step toward finding lasting solutions to the challenges which the country faces.

8. The Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) recognizes this imperative. As you may be aware, the Agreement includes specific gender provisions to support women’s effective participation at every stage of the constitution-making process. 

9. Of particular significance are the Women’s Empowerment Bill, which aims to provide a robust legal framework for women’s participation, and the Women’s Enterprise Fund Bill, designed to help women rebuild their livelihoods, meet their basic needs, and thereby free up time and resources for civic engagement.

10. Furthermore, the Revitalized Peace Agreement’s commitment to 35% affirmative action is a milestone for gender equality in South Sudan. This provision calls for women’s representation at all levels of the constitution-making process, including in all the relevant subcommittees, ensuring that women’s voices are not just heard, but are prominently reflected in shaping the future of South Sudan.

11. Women as the guardian of the family and the nation as well as flag bearer of lasting peace in society, any political, economic, and social transformation cannot succeed without their active and inclusive participation

12. As we embark therefore, on this workshop, let us remember that women’s leadership in constitution making is not only about justice and rights, it is also about building a more peaceful, prosperous, and inclusive South Sudan for all. I urge each of us to engage fully, to listen attentively, and to work collaboratively to advance the cause of women’s leadership in this historic process.

13. I wish you fruitful deliberations during the workshop.

I Thank You.