Implement deal to de-escalate tension – EU tells parties

The European Union has called on the parties to the revitalised peace agreement to urgently implement the recently agreed forces command structure to deescalate tensions in South Sudan.

The main armed opposition groups—Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Government/Army in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO), and South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA)—on Sunday reached a deal on the sticking joint command.

The matter that had put on hold the implementation of other provisions of chapter two of the security arrangement such as the graduation, and redeployment of joint forces nearly slipped the country back to violence after SPLM/A-IO accused the government of violations.

However, the agreement brokered by neighbouring Sudan stipulates that the implementation of its provisions which includes the immediate appointment of members of opposition groups to the senior organized forces positions, and graduation of the first batch of the necessary unified forces be completed in two months.

According to the agreement, SPLM-IG will contribute 60 per cent forces of the 83, 000 necessary unified forces while the SPLM/A-IO and SSOA share the reaming 40 per cent.

In a tweet on Thursday, the EU High Representative, Joseph Borrell stated “The EU urges the parties to genuinely and swiftly implement the agreed steps, to contribute to a de-escalation of the tensions in the country.”

South Sudan opposition groups signed the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) in September 2018 but most of the provisions have remained outstanding despite the transitional period approaching an end in February 2023.

The SPLM-IG have shown commitment to holding general elections in 2023, arguing that it was a means to ending cycles of violence if people choose their leaders. But some parties have objected, demanding full implementation of the agreement first.

However, it remained uncertain whether parties will extend the transitional period for some years to allow complete peace implementation.