29/07/2025
PRESS STATEMENT
For Immediate Release
Date: July 29, 2025
The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO) has learned with deep concern of the abrupt termination of the official visit by the Vice President of the Republic of South Africa to South Sudan.
South Africa, as a valued member of the C5, alongside Algeria, Chad, Nigeria, and Rwanda, plays a pivotal role in supporting the peace process in South Sudan. The C5 was mandated by the African Union to assist in implementing the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
We firmly believe that the visit of the Vice President of South Africa could have significantly contributed to the ongoing regional efforts to restore peace, strengthen reconciliation, and build confidence among all parties and stakeholders.
We are equally concerned about the status reportedly denied to the IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan, Ambassador Ismail Wais, while the government is busy bringing Russian mercenaries into the country; a new development that undermines the collective regional and continental efforts for a peaceful, South Sudan–led resolution to the conflict.
As the economy collapses, the nation itself is also falling apart, and the people of South Sudan must prepare to witness the downfall of our republic under Salva Kiir’s leadership.
We urge the SPLM-IG, under President Salva Kiir, to recommit to working transparently with the IGAD Special Envoy and the C5, and to reaffirm its respect for African-led mediation and security arrangements.
Diplomatic engagements like the Vice President’s visit are not merely symbolic; they are vital to rebuilding trust, encouraging dialogue, and securing lasting peace for the people of South Sudan.
The SPLM-IO remains committed to working closely with IGAD, the African Union, the Troika, the United Nations, the C5 countries: South Africa, Algeria, Chad, Nigeria, and Rwanda; and all friends of South Sudan to achieve genuine peace, democracy, and sustainable development for our people.
Yours truly,
Hon. Reath Muoch Tang, MP
Acting Chairperson, National Committee on Foreign Relations, SPLM-IO
Email: [email protected]
Cc:
1. Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)
2. African Union (AU)
3. United Nations (UN)
4. Troika (United States, United Kingdom, Norway)
5. Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC)
6. C5 Countries