Oversight body says South Sudan rivals have recruited fighters, raising war fears
JUBA, South Sudan — JUBA, South Sudan (AP) — An international ceasefire monitor has reported that parties involved in South Sudan’s fragile peace agreement have been recruiting new fighters and abducting children to join the conflict, raising concerns of a potential return to civil war.
A recent statement released in Juba revealed that South Sudan’s military initiated a recruitment campaign in June to enlist 4,000 troops for peacekeeping operations, while also establishing a new training facility in August.
The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), a ceasefire oversight body under the supervision of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), expressed concerns about reports of child abductions, forced recruitment, and sexual violence by all parties involved in the conflict.
The escalating tensions between South Sudan’s government forces and opposition fighters loyal to Riek Machar have intensified since the end of 2024, sparking fears of a collapse of the 2018 peace agreement that ended the country’s civil war.
Despite the formation of a transitional government as part of the peace deal, key provisions such as the integration of forces into a unified national army remain unfulfilled, leading to concerns about the agreement’s sustainability.
George Aggrey Owinow, the interim chairman of RJMEC, warned of the risk of losing progress made so far if the current challenges are not addressed promptly, potentially resulting in the collapse of the peace agreement.
The recent meeting in Juba, attended by government officials, military representatives, opposition leaders, and foreign ambassadors, highlighted the increasing civilian casualties, displacement of over 321,000 people, and challenges in humanitarian access due to the ongoing conflict.
While South Sudan’s minister for cabinet affairs, Martin Elia Lomuro, downplayed concerns about the peace process being derailed, the trial of Riek Machar on terrorism and crimes against humanity charges adds to the growing tensions. Machar’s call for an independent investigation and RJMEC’s appeal for his release further underscore the fragile state of peace in South Sudan.
