(JUBA) – The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), the body tasked with overseeing South Sudan’s 2018 peace agreement, has called on the transitional government to address the ongoing detention of First Vice President Dr Riek Machar and several of his close allies.
In its quarterly report released on Thursday, RJMEC expressed deep concern over Dr Machar’s house arrest and its broader impact on the peace process. The former rebel leader, now a top member of the unity government, was placed under house arrest in Juba on 26 March 2025, following weeks of rising political tension and clashes in parts of the country.
Dr Machar’s detention came after the arrest of several senior figures from the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO), including General Gabriel Duop Lam, chief of staff of the SPLA-IO, and Puot Kang Chol, the Minister of Petroleum. The group was accused of provoking violence in Nasir, Upper Nile State.
RJMEC, in its 16 page report, urged the government to resolve the matter in line with a previous communiqué issued by the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC). The peace monitoring body argued that ending these detentions is essential for restoring the functionality of peace implementation bodies, especially the transitional security mechanisms.
“The RJMEC urges the transitional government to resolve the issues surrounding the house arrest of Dr Riek Machar and other SPLM/A-IO leaders currently in detention… and ensure the functionality of all the Agreement implementation institutions and mechanisms,” the report stated.
The commission warned that the continued political stalemate, fuelled by unresolved tensions and arbitrary detentions, threatens to derail the peace agreement. It said the persistent lack of trust among parties has stalled key progress and created conditions ripe for renewed conflict.
“The continued house arrest of the First Vice President and his colleagues only serves to deepen mistrust among the signatories of the Revitalised Agreement and undermines the confidence of the South Sudanese people, regional stakeholders, and the wider international community,” the report noted.
According to RJMEC, the overall political and security situation in the country has deteriorated sharply in recent months. The fragile ceasefire, it says, is repeatedly violated by armed confrontations between government forces — the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) — and SPLA-IO forces, supported by allied groups.
The report also cited the growing use of unilateral decisions by some government actors, such as dismissals and appointments made without consulting coalition partners. It described these actions as direct breaches of the power sharing terms outlined in the governance section of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
To move the process forward, RJMEC called for the immediate release of SPLM-IO detainees and the reinstatement of inclusive participation by all signatory parties across peace institutions.
“In order to kickstart this process, there must be a restoration of trust, which necessarily involves releasing the SPLM/A-IO detainees and restoring full and inclusive participation of all parties in the various Agreement Institutions and Mechanisms,” the commission recommended.
Despite repeated diplomatic efforts from both regional and international partners, the report acknowledged that little progress has been made toward resolving the political crisis. However, it welcomed continued external engagement, noting that these efforts signal a shared hope for lasting peace in South Sudan.
RJMEC concluded by urging South Sudanese leaders to place the aspirations of ordinary citizens, peace, dignity and security at the centre of their political priorities. It stressed that peace cannot be achieved without full and inclusive dialogue among all stakeholders.
Summary of Key Issues in RJMEC Report
| Issue | Details |
|---|---|
| Main Concern | Detention of Dr Riek Machar and SPLM-IO leaders |
| Date of Machar’s House Arrest | 26 March 2025 |
| Accusations Against SPLM-IO Leaders | Instigating violence in Nasir |
| RJMEC Recommendation | Release detainees, restore peace institutions |
| Peace Deal Status | Stalled implementation, increasing mistrust |
| Security Situation | Deteriorating; repeated SSPDF–SPLA-IO clashes |
| Governance Concerns | Unilateral actions violating power-sharing agreement |
| International Involvement | Ongoing diplomatic pressure, no major breakthrough |