Diplomats Raise Alarm Over Stalled Peace Process
Diplomats from regional governments and leading donor nations said they were deeply concerned about South Sudan’s peace process after a meeting held on Tuesday. They appealed for swift and decisive steps by the country’s leaders to restore momentum.
Joint Statement Backed by Donors and Regional Embassies
A joint statement was supported by the embassies of Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Norway, the Netherlands, Sudan, Uganda, the United Kingdom and the United States, alongside the European Union delegation. The diplomats argued that inclusive dialogue remains central to advancing peace.
Focus on Leadership Roles in Inclusive Dialogue
The diplomats’ statement highlighted the roles of President Salva Kiir and suspended First Vice President Riek Machar in any credible inclusive dialogue and the broader peace process. The language suggested that leadership-level engagement is viewed as essential to rebuilding trust across political constituencies.
Clashes and Delays Cloud the 2018 Peace Deal
The statement was issued as fighting has re-emerged in parts of the country between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition. Diplomatic sources linked the renewed insecurity to a slowdown in implementing the 2018 peace agreement that ended a five-year civil war.
Machar Detention and Treason Case Add Pressure
SPLM/A-IO leader Riek Machar, a key signatory to the 2018 deal, has been detained since March 2025. He is facing treason charges in a special court in Juba over his alleged role in violence in Nasir County, Upper Nile State, in March last year.