Donors Criticise South Sudan Over Taxation of Humanitarian Aid

(JUBA) – South Sudan is facing growing tension with international donors over delays and disputes in its fragile peace process, raising fears that the country could return to the widespread violence seen in 2013 and 2016.

Concerns centre on the continued detention of key opposition figures, including suspended First Vice-President Riek Machar, and uncertainty over the elections scheduled for December 2026. These issues are viewed by donors as obstacles to implementing the 2018 Revitalised Agreement for the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan, known as R-ARCSS.

On 18 December, the Troika of the United States, the United Kingdom and Norway issued a statement warning that initial optimism following the signing of R-ARCSS has faded. The statement said the agreement, which aimed to end years of post-independence conflict, has not delivered the expected stability.

The Troika accused the South Sudanese government of reneging on the deal and warned of the risk of renewed large-scale conflict. It called on neighbouring countries, which would be most affected by instability, to press for adherence to the peace agreement.

Last week, President Salva Kiir proposed amending the peace deal to delay key reforms, including a constitutional review, a population census and institutional restructuring, until after the 2026 elections. His supporters argue this would remove obstacles to holding the polls.

Critics, however, said this move undermines the 2018 agreement. Oyet Nathaniel Pierino, acting chairman of Machar’s party, SPLM-IO, urged international guarantors to reject unilateral amendments, warning that the plan threatens to dismantle the peace process.

Machar, who remains detained along with seven SPLM-IO members, faces treason and crimes-against-humanity charges related to clashes in Upper Nile in March. Donors argue that these legal proceedings have stalled the political transition.

Relations with donors have also been strained over corruption and the imposition of high tariffs on humanitarian aid. The United States has threatened sanctions after South Sudan continued taxing relief supplies. Reports indicate mismanagement of public resources, unpaid civil servants, and reliance on donor support for basic services.

A high level meeting in Juba on 10 December, attended by Kiir’s allies and SPLM-IO breakaway factions, resolved to form a committee to amend the peace agreement. Machar loyalists dismissed the meeting as illegitimate, saying key signatories were excluded.

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (Igad), which mediated R-ARCSS, has repeatedly called for Machar’s release, warning that his detention threatens the agreement’s survival.

R-ARCSS requires that a permanent constitution, national census, and institutional reforms be completed before elections. Most deadlines have already been missed since the Transitional Government of National Unity was formed over five years ago. Opposition figures insist that these prerequisites are essential for credible elections. Puok Both Baluang, Machar’s press secretary, warned that rushing the elections would be “a recipe for disaster.”

The National Constitution Review Commission began public consultations in October but faces a tight deadline, as the constitution must be completed at least six months before the 2026 vote. Parliament passed the Constitution-Making Process Act in 2022, mandating civic education, consultations, and a National Constitutional Conference to ensure broad participation.

Despite these efforts, sporadic violence continues to obstruct progress. In its third quarterly report of 2025, the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission said insecurity remains the single biggest obstacle to implementing the peace agreement.

Key Peace Process Status