By Sabri Dibaco
The South Sudan peace process is facing renewed strain as ceasefire violations increase, according to the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM).
Speaking at the 55th CTSAMVM Board Meeting in Juba, Chairperson Teshome Anagawe Ayana warned that the growing number of violations reflects weakening political commitment among parties to the revitalised agreement.
CTSAMVM reported 35 alleged violations in March alone, with several incidents involving deadly clashes and territorial occupations.
The mechanism has already forwarded multiple reports this year to regional bodies, including the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), for further political action.
The developments have raised concerns about accountability and trust among signatories, key pillars for sustaining the peace deal.
Teshome Anagawe Ayana, CTSAMVM’s chairperson, emphasised that without stronger political will, the enforcement of ceasefire provisions and broader security arrangements will remain ineffective.
He urged leaders to reassert control over their forces, accelerate the unification of armed groups, and advance delayed reforms such as disarmament and reintegration programs. He also stressed the need for inclusive political dialogue to prevent further deterioration of the peace process.
At the 54th CTSAMVM Board Meeting, members had expressed cautious optimism over a relative reduction in large-scale clashes compared to late 2025, while warning of persistent localised violence and delays in implementing key provisions of the revitalised agreement.
The previous meeting emphasised the need to accelerate the unification and deployment of the necessary unified forces, improve command and control among armed groups, and address rising tensions linked to cattle raiding and communal conflicts.
However, progress remained uneven, with continued reports of violations and slow advancement in transitional security arrangements, concerns that have now resurfaced more sharply in the latest briefing.
The meeting brought together government officials, diplomats, and military leaders to assess progress and challenges in implementing the agreement, amid growing fears that continued violations could undermine South Sudan’s transition to stability.