By Sabri Dibaco
A coalition of foreign embassies and international partners has reaffirmed that South Sudan’s peace agreement remains the sole basis for the legitimacy of the country’s transitional government, warning that unilateral changes to the deal could undermine peace efforts.
In a joint statement issued on Thursday, the embassies of Australia, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States, together with the Delegation of the European Union, called on South Sudan’s leaders to return to dialogue and fully respect the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement.
“The Peace Agreement remains the basis of legitimacy for the transitional government in South Sudan. Unilateral changes to the Agreement are not in accordance with the letter and spirit of the Agreement and will not bring peace to South Sudan,” the statement read.
The diplomatic missions stressed that only inclusive political dialogue and adherence to the peace accord can ensure stability in the country, which has faced years of conflict and political uncertainty.
The statement comes amid increasing concerns over delays in implementing key provisions of the peace agreement, including security reforms, the unification of armed forces, constitutional processes, and preparations for national elections in December 2026.
South Sudan’s transitional government, formed under the peace deal signed in 2018, has repeatedly extended transition timelines as political disagreements persist among the parties to the agreement.
International observers fear that continued disputes and unilateral decisions could erode trust among the signatories and threaten fragile gains achieved since the end of the civil war.
The embassies urged all parties to recommit to the agreement and immediately resume constructive engagement to preserve peace and national unity.
Recently, the civil society activists also called on the government for inclusive dialogue between the government and the other parties who are the signatories to the agreement, as the country is heading closer to the national election that will see citizens choose their leader
Civil society said the absence of key members of other political parties undermines the 2018 peace agreement, citing the need for inclusive dialogue for lasting peace in South Sudan.