25/03/2025
The Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) has faced significant challenges since its signing in 2018, including delays in implementation, mistrust among parties, and sporadic violence. To prevent its collapse and ensure its success, the following steps could be taken:
1. Strengthen Political Will and Commitment
- Leadership Accountability: Hold key leaders, including President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar, accountable for their commitments under the agreement. International actors, such as the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN), should apply diplomatic pressure to ensure compliance.
- Inclusive Dialogue: Foster continuous dialogue among all stakeholders, including opposition groups, civil society, and womenโs organizations, to build consensus and address grievances.
2. Accelerate Implementation of Key Provisions
- Security Arrangements: Expedite the unification of armed forces and the training of a unified national army. This is critical to reducing violence and building trust among parties.
- Governance Reforms: Establish and operationalize transitional institutions, such as the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU), with clear timelines and deliverables.
- Transitional Justice: Implement mechanisms for accountability, reconciliation, and healing, including the establishment of the Hybrid Court for South Sudan and the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation, and Healing.
3. Enhance International Support and Monitoring
- IGAD and AU Oversight: Strengthen the role of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the African Union in monitoring and supporting the agreementโs implementation.
- UN Peacekeeping Support: Ensure that the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has the resources and mandate to protect civilians and support the peace process.
- Donor Engagement: Secure sustained financial and technical support from international donors to fund critical aspects of the agreement, such as disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) programs.
4. Address Root Causes of Conflict
- Economic Reforms: Tackle corruption and mismanagement of resources, which have fueled conflict. Promote equitable distribution of wealth and resources.
- Humanitarian Assistance: Provide urgent humanitarian aid to address the suffering of civilians, which could undermine trust in the peace process.
- Local Reconciliation: Support grassroots peacebuilding initiatives to address intercommunal tensions and promote social cohesion.
5. Build Public Confidence;
- Transparency and Communication: Ensure transparency in the implementation process and communicate progress to the public to build trust and legitimacy;
-Civil Society Engagement: Empower civil society organizations to monitor the agreementโs implementation and advocate for accountability.
6. Mitigate Spoilers and Violence;
- Sanctions and Incentives: Use targeted sanctions against individuals or groups undermining the peace process, while offering incentives for compliance.
- Conflict Prevention: Strengthen early warning systems to prevent outbreaks of violence and address disputes before they escalate.
7. Adhere to Timelines
- Strict Timelines: Enforce adherence to the agreed timelines for key milestones, such as elections and the formation of transitional institutions, to maintain momentum and credibility.
8. Regional and International Diplomacy;
- Neighboring Countries: Engage neighboring countries, such as Sudan, Uganda, and Kenya, to support the peace process and prevent external interference.
- Global Advocacy: Mobilize global advocacy to keep South Sudanโs peace process on the international agenda.
By addressing these areas, the R-ARCSS can be salvaged and put back on track, paving the way for lasting peace and stability in South Sudan. However, success will require sustained commitment from all parties, both domestic and international.
Juba Magazine๐
