IGAD has reiterated that the 2018 Revitalised Agreement is the most viable instrument for securing stability in South Sudan, even as the agreement faces considerable pressure.
That was in accordance with the report from the 43rd Extraordinary Summit of IGAD Heads of State and Government on the Situation in the Republic of South Sudan as disclosed by the Authority Wednesday afternoon.
"IGAD’s continuous diplomatic involvement, bolstered by the AU and UN, is crucial to uphold the interaction between South Sudan’s leaders, with this Summit culminating in a resolute communiqué outlining commitments and expectations, including an urgent appeal for a definitive roadmap for the transition and elections by December 2026, with distinct milestones for constitutional reform, electoral preparations, and institutional reconstitution,"as stated in the report.
It further mentions that South Sudan is delicately poised between the prospect of peace and the threat of conflict.
The 43rd IGAD Extraordinary Summit urged the government of South Sudan to promptly release detained officials, unless credible evidence justifies legal proceedings carried out transparently and in compliance with due process, remove any unwarranted restrictions, and reinstate standard security measures.
"To stabilize the security and political environment, the Secretariat recommends that the Joint Defence Board be expeditiously reconvened to address contentious deployments, such as those in Nasir, and supervise the safe withdrawal of forces, in collaboration with UNMISS,"it suggested.
The IGAD Secretariat advocates for extended efforts to "foster reconciliation, including additional assistance to the Tumaini Initiative that is engaging non-signatories to the agreement and a comprehensive strategy for the inclusion of all communities and stakeholders to counter divisive narratives and rebuild public trust."
The outcome of the meeting implies that "the ultimate responsibility lies with the leadership of South Sudan to opt for harmony over confrontation."
This summit, as per the report, presents a crucial opportunity to reaffirm our collective determination, steering South Sudan away from catastrophe and towards a future characterized by peace, prosperity, and dignity for its people.