President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged his South Sudanese counterpart Salva Kiir to fully implement the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), stressing that an inclusive electoral process is crucial ahead of the country’s planned December elections.
The call came during talks between the two leaders in Pretoria on Wednesday where Kiir was on a working visit to South Africa.
According to South Africa’s Presidency, Ramaphosa emphasised that full adherence to the peace agreement was essential to advancing the peace process and consolidating gains towards lasting stability in the world’s youngest nation.
The South African leader also underscored the need for an electoral process based on “mutual trust and cooperation” among South Sudanese stakeholders to help address outstanding challenges and create conditions conducive to the effective implementation of the peace accord ahead of the elections.
“The meeting reaffirmed the significance of sustained regional engagement and collaboration in support of peace, stability and political progress in South Sudan, including electoral capacity support from the C5 countries,” the Presidency said in a statement.
The R-ARCSS, signed in September 2018, ended a five-year civil war that erupted in December 2013 following a political dispute between President Kiir and his former deputy, Riek Machar. The conflict killed hundreds of thousands of people and displaced millions.
Brokered by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and backed by regional and international partners, the agreement established a power-sharing arrangement, called for security sector reforms, the drafting of a permanent constitution and preparations for democratic elections.
However, implementation of key provisions has repeatedly been delayed, prompting concerns from regional bodies and international partners about the pace of South Sudan’s transition.
Elections, initially scheduled for 2024, were postponed to December this year as authorities cited the need to complete critical elements of the peace process.
South Africa has remained actively engaged in efforts to support South Sudan’s peace and state-building process, working alongside regional partners to encourage implementation of the agreement and preparations for the country’s first post-independence elections.
JN/APA