By Lodu William Odiya and Yiep Joseph
The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) has called on South Sudan government to accelerate issues surrounding Dr. Riek Machar and other political detainees.
The peace monitors made the call in a quarterly report on the status of the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
A detailed report signed by Amb. Maj. Gen. (Rtd) George Aggrey Owinow, RJMEC interim chairperson, covers the period from 1st April to 30th June 2025.
In the report, Owinow reiterated a call on the revitalized transitional government of national unity to build trust that start with the release of the political detainees.
“The R-ARCSS continues to be the best means through which lasting peace can be accomplished. In order to kickstart this process, there must be a restoration of trust, which necessarily involves releasing the SPLM/A-IO detainees and restoring full participation in the various agreement institutions and mechanisms,” the report partly read.
South Sudan’s First Vice President and leader of Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM-IO) Dr. Riek Machar was placed under house arrest in March this year.
Despite several calls for his release as well as that of his party members, the government is yet to respond.
The South Sudan government said that the opposition leaders under detention were in conflict with the law and remain under investigation while peace implementation continues.
The peace monitors urged the RTGoNU to speed up the process surrounding the arrest of Dr. Machar and other SPLM/A-IO members, as it has been requested by the African Union and other partners.
“Pursuant to the Communiqué of the 1283rd Meeting of the AUPSC, resolve the issues surrounding Dr. Riek Machar and other SPLM/A-IO leaders, military and other officials currently in detention,” the statement partly read.
The peace monitor urged the signatories to the revitalized agreement to desist from actions that may escalate tensions in South Sudan.
“Desist from actions that may escalate tensions by demonstrating leadership, release detainees, embrace dialogue, and return to inclusive implementation of the R-ARCSS towards the path of stability and prosperity,” the report read.
RJEMC underscored heightened political tension persisted, including the continued house arrest of Dr. Riek Machar, First Vice President and Chair of SPLM/A-IO, and the detention of other high-ranking SPLM/A-IO members.
“This only serves to deepen mistrust among key parties to the R-ARCSS and undermine confidence of the people of South Sudan, the region, and the international community in the commitment of the parties to the implementation of the Agreement in letter and spirit,” the report emphasized.
It highlighted a number of unilateral dismissals and appointments by the ITGoNU, without consultation with other peace partners, further breached the Agreement’s power-sharing provisions, and eroded trust.