Juba Peace Deal Revival
Tuesday’s closed-door talks in Juba signaled a new push to unblock South Sudan’s 2018 Revitalised Peace Agreement, whose timelines have repeatedly slipped amid disputes and insecurity.
Representatives of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition, SPLM-IO, described the exchange as “very productive”, adding that all sides endorsed a purely South Sudanese dialogue framework.
Women Mediators Step Into National Spotlight
The initiative is led by South Sudan Women Mediators, a coalition convened by the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization with technical backing from UN Women.
Members include lawyers, economists and faith leaders who argue that an inclusive approach can rebuild trust where earlier, male-dominated forums stalled.
Opposition Sets Free-Machar Condition
SPLM-IO spokesperson Yolanda Awel Deng welcomed the overture but stressed that talks cannot deepen while Dr. Riek Machar and several party cadres remain in custody on treason charges.
“The unconditional release of His Excellency the First Vice President is our starting line,” Deng said, insisting that only then can top leaders jointly plan the road from transition to polls.
UN Women and CEPO Back Dialogue
Florence Agiba, speaking for the mediators, called the session a “great deliberation” and confirmed more consultations with each signatory of the peace deal throughout the week.
Agiba said the team aims to complement rather than replace existing mechanisms, hoping to assemble all stakeholders in a single room before the next timeline review.
Pathway to Overdue Elections
The 2018 accord ended a five-year conflict that left nearly 400,000 people dead, but key provisions—security sector reform, a unified army and a permanent constitution—remain unfinished.
Observers warn that without fresh momentum the scheduled elections could face another postponement, prolonging uncertainty in the world’s youngest republic.
By centering women at the mediation table, advocates believe the current initiative could inject the patience and pragmatism required to move the nation from guns to ballots.
Next Steps Under Watchful Regional Eye
The mediators expect to brief the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and other guarantors after completing their round of meetings, underscoring regional interest in averting a relapse into conflict.
For now, citizens wait to see whether the demand to free Machar will be met, and if a high-level summit with President Salva Kiir materialises.