JUBA — The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) has called for an immediate ceasefire following renewed clashes between government forces and opposition troops in Walgak Payam, Akobo County, Jonglei State, warning that the violence threatens the country’s fragile peace process.
The commission expressed deep concern over the fighting between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO), which reportedly resulted in the death of Akobo County Commissioner James Kueth Makuac and several others.
In a statement, RJMEC condemned the violence and said continued armed confrontations risk undermining the implementation of the 2018 Revitalised Peace Agreement (R-ARCSS), which ended years of devastating conflict and remains the foundation of South Sudan’s political transition.
The peace monitoring body urged all parties to immediately halt hostilities, exercise restraint, protect civilians, and resolve political and security disagreements through dialogue rather than military confrontation.
“Military confrontation cannot provide a sustainable solution to political challenges. It only deepens human suffering and erodes public confidence in the peace process,” RJMEC said.
RJMEC also called on the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) to investigate the incident and establish the facts surrounding the clashes.
The renewed fighting comes amid heightened political tensions in South Sudan as the country prepares for general elections scheduled for December 2026. Observers have warned that continued insecurity and disagreements among political actors could threaten efforts to achieve a peaceful transition.
South Sudan’s peace agreement has brought relative stability compared with the height of the civil war, but implementation challenges remain, including security reforms, political disputes, and delays in establishing conditions for credible elections.
RJMEC has repeatedly urged South Sudan’s leaders to prioritize dialogue, uphold the peace agreement, and prevent a return to large-scale conflict.
