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TITLE: SOUTH SUDAN / RJMEC PLENARY
TRT: 03:43
SOURCE: UNMISS
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGES: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 07 OCTOBER 2025, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN / FILE
07 OCTOBER 2025, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN
1. Various shot, Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) plenary
FILE – UNDATED, SOUTH SUDAN
2. Various shots, internally displaced people
07 OCTOBER 2025, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Colonel Gunnar Gabrielsen, Chief of Staff, Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism, (CTSAMVM):
“The permanent ceasefire is continually and repeatedly violated by signatory parties. Across many parts of the country, SPLM/A-IO and SSPDF forces have consistently attacked each other and their allied forces, leading to the death of civilians, the destruction of villages, and internal displacement.”
4. Various Shots, RJMEC plenary
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Ambassador George Aggrey Owinow, Chairperson, Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC):
“There is no doubt, therefore, that the RARCSS is facing its greatest challenge since its signing. If the current challenges are not urgently addressed, there is a high risk of reversal of the all the gains already made and it may lead to a collapse of the agreement altogether.”
6. Med Shot, RJMEC plenary
FILE - 16 NOVEMBER 2021, SOUTH SUDAN
7. Various Shots, flooding
07 OCTOBER 2025, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Anita Kiki Gbeho, Officer in Charge, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, United Nations:
“In our analysis, the challenges facing the RARCSS are man-made, fundamentally political, and only resolvable through inclusive dialogue. The time for action is now. The people of South Sudan deserve peace, a unified commitment to their safety, security, and stability.”
9. Various Shots, RJMEC plenary
10. SOUNDBITE (English) Martin Lomuro, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, South Sudan:
“We are monitoring the situation of funding, and we are developing a fallback position. It is not the time to divulge but, because we intend to take the country for elections, we are actively engaging among ourselves to ensure that we have a fallback position that will be smooth and trouble free so that we can take the country for elections.”
11. Various Shots, RJMEC plenary
12. SOUNDBITE (English) Sandra Bona Malwal, Representative, Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM/A-IO):
“The agreement has been on its knees, but it can be rescued. Honourable Chair. The rescue of the agreement should be through dialogue and, this I would like to bring to the attention of all the parties, that we all need to rethink and sit at the table and dialogue so that we can rescue this agreement and South Sudan in general.”
13. Various Shots, RJMEC Plenary
A powerful, collective call for a cessation of hostilities between forces aligned with the parties to the peace deal in South Sudan was issued Tuesday (7 Oct) by regional and international partners at a forum focused on addressing the deteriorating political and security situation.
Since March 2025, political violence has escalated, including aerial bombardments in parts of the country. A sharp 59 percent increase has been recorded in civilian casualties so far this year, compared to 2024, and nearly 321,000 people have been newly displaced by conflict.
SOUNDBITE (English) Colonel Gunnar Gabrielsen, Chief of Staff, Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism, (CTSAMVM):
“The permanent ceasefire is continually and repeatedly violated by signatory parties. Across many parts of the country, SPLM/A-IO and SSPDF forces have consistently attacked each other and their allied forces, leading to the death of civilians, the destruction of villages, and internal displacement.”
The political schism caused by the trial of First Vice President, Riek Machar, and other co-accused was also discussed at the plenary held by peace monitoring body, the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (R-JMEC). The overall situation was described as precarious, with the peace deal on the verge of collapse due to rising political tensions, mistrust, and violence.
SOUNDBITE (English) Ambassador George Aggrey Owinow, Chairperson, Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC):
“There is no doubt, therefore, that the RARCSS is facing its greatest challenge since its signing. If the current challenges are not urgently addressed, there is a high risk of reversal of the all the gains already made and it may lead to a collapse of the agreement altogether.”
The political crisis is also exacerbating the dire humanitarian situation, with conflict and flooding causing the displacement of 497,000 people. Humanitarians are also facing increasing restrictions while trying to access vulnerable communities, with 70 access incidents reported this month, double last year.
SOUNDBITE (English) Anita Kiki Gbeho, Officer in Charge, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, United Nations:
“In our analysis, the challenges facing the RARCSS are man-made, fundamentally political, and only resolvable through inclusive dialogue. The time for action is now. The people of South Sudan deserve peace, a unified commitment to their safety, security, and stability.”
The Government representative reported on the progress made in implementing the peace agreement, including the establishment of well-functioning electoral institutions and gradual merger of security forces into a unified structure. If funds were made available, he said, the constitution-making process could also be completed in time for elections in December 2026.
SOUNDBITE (English) Martin Lomuro, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, South Sudan:
“We are monitoring the situation of funding, and we are developing a fallback position. It is not the time to divulge but, because we intend to take the country for elections, we are actively engaging among ourselves to ensure that we have a fallback position that will be smooth and trouble free so that we can take the country for elections.”
There was also hope among parties of a return to inclusive decision-making and action to progress peace.
SOUNDBITE (English) Sandra Bona Malwal, Representative, Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM/A-IO):
“The agreement has been on its knees, but it can be rescued. Honourable Chair. The rescue of the agreement should be through dialogue and, this I would like to bring to the attention of all the parties, that we all need to rethink and sit at the table and dialogue so that we can rescue this agreement and South Sudan in general.”
International partners reiterated their commitment to supporting South Sudan. However, they stressed the need for urgent action to end hostilities, engage in inclusive and constructive dialogue, and return to the framework of the peace agreement, if there is to be any hope of a better future for the world’s newest nation.
