RJMEC urges South Sudan parties to uphold peace deal ahead of December elections
The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission on Tuesday urged South Sudan’s political parties to uphold the 2018 peace agreement and complete outstanding transitional tasks as the country enters the final three months before scheduled general elections.
The commission, known as RJMEC, said the Dec. 22 elections are a critical stage in the implementation of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan, or R-ARCSS.
The transitional period was extended by 24 months in September 2024, moving its end date from Feb. 22, 2025, to Feb. 22, 2027. The elections were subsequently rescheduled for December 2026, following approval by the transitional parliament and assent by President Salva Kiir.
RJMEC said the peace agreement remains the framework for the country’s political transition and urged all parties to work toward elections that are credible, peaceful, free and fair.
The commission welcomed an inter-party dialogue scheduled to begin Sept. 24 and called on political parties and other stakeholders to use the process to build consensus on the way forward.
The call follows guidance from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, or IGAD, during its 74th Council of Ministers session in Djibouti on Sept. 15. IGAD called for inclusive dialogue to restore confidence among the parties and clarify a consensus-based pathway toward the December elections.
RJMEC also urged the parties to demonstrate political will to complete outstanding provisions of the peace agreement, including security arrangements, judicial reforms, permanent constitution-making, economic reforms and transitional justice.
The commission said these measures remain important to strengthening peace, stability, reconciliation, accountability and constitutional governance.
“RJMEC emphasises that the significance of 22 September should not be viewed in isolation from the broader implementation framework of the R-ARCSS,” the commission said in a statement.
The commission urged political leaders to use the remaining period before the elections constructively and responsibly through the inter-party dialogue and other mechanisms established to address outstanding political and implementation issues.
RJMEC said South Sudan’s people deserve a credible political process, a peaceful transition and a democratically elected government based on the rule of law.
Under Chapter VII of the R-ARCSS, RJMEC is mandated to monitor, evaluate and report on implementation of the peace agreement and the compliance of the parties and the transitional government, as well as recommend remedial measures where necessary.
