Photo: ENOUGH Project/Flickr.
Thursday, 23 April 2026 | Author – Alex Onyango | Nairobi, Kenya| GT-News |
South Sudan’s already fragile peace process is facing renewed strain, with rising violence, political mistrust and slow reforms threatening to derail a landmark agreement meant to end years of conflict, the peace monitoring body said in a quarterly report.
A new report by the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), which oversees the 2018 peace deal, says implementation showed “minimal progress” in the first three months of 2026.
The Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) ended a five-year civil war that killed nearly 400,000 people. But key provisions — including security reforms, a permanent constitution and preparations for elections — have repeatedly been delayed.
According to the latest findings, at least 133 alleged ceasefire violations were recorded between January and March by the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMVM).
These include clashes between government forces and opposition fighters, as well as attacks on civilians, sexual violence and forced displacement.
The report warns that ongoing fighting is eroding public confidence in the peace deal and worsening an already dire humanitarian situation in one of the world’s youngest nations.
“Continued clashes threaten civilian protection and humanitarian access, while undermining confidence in the agreement as the primary framework for peace and stability,” the commission said.
It also highlights growing mistrust among South Sudan’s political leaders, accusing key parties of acting unilaterally and failing to consult one another — a trend that risks weakening the power-sharing government.
RJMEC is calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and an inclusive national dialogue to resolve outstanding disputes.
Without urgent action, it warns, the country risks further political fragmentation and a return to large-scale violence, with potential consequences for the wider region.
South Sudan has struggled to fully implement the 2018 deal, with missed deadlines pushing back plans for elections and prolonging a transitional government arrangement.
International and regional bodies, including the African Union, the United Nations and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), are being urged to increase pressure and provide sustained financial and technical support.
For many South Sudanese, the slow pace of progress raises fears that the hard-won peace could slip further out of reach.
