The IGAD council of ministers in its 73rd extra-ordinary session on 9 August via video conference, expressed deep concern with the recent in-fighting within the SPLM/A-IO that has led to an armed confrontation that resulted in the loss of life, destruction of property, and displacement of civilians in Upper Nile State in South Sudan.

A communiqué by the regional body said Monday’s extraordinary meeting chaired by Dr. Mariam Al-Sadig Al-Mahdi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Sudan and Chairperson of the IGAD Council of Ministers, was convened to discuss the current political and security situation in the Republic of South Sudan and the implications on the implementation of the September 2018 peace deal. 

“The council expressed Deep Concern with the recent in-fighting within the SPLM/A-IO that has led to armed confrontation that reportedly resulted in the loss of life, destruction of property and displacement of civilians in Upper Nile State in South Sudan and bordering areas in the Republic of Sudan; and requests CTSAMVM to investigate these developments and establish the true facts on the ground and report back to the Council within 7 days,” the communiqué read in part.

It added, “The council noted with concern that the unfolding political crisis and splintering of the SPLM/A-IO is beyond an intra-party crisis and bears significant immediate and long-term implications on the broader security and humanitarian situation as well as the ongoing Peace Process in the Republic of South Sudan and the wider IGAD region.”

The council called upon all factions in the dispute within SPLM/A-IO to immediately and unconditionally cease armed confrontation and refrain from any offensive, provocative or retaliatory utterances, behaviors, and other actions that will escalate tensions and hostilities. 

The meeting further called upon and urged the parties to pursue peaceful avenues of resolution of internal differences and disagreements through dialogue, trust, and confidence-building and demonstrate greater political will and commitment. 

“The council affirmed that any actions that violate the Permanent Ceasefire and undermine the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement 2017 will not be tolerated and in this regard, urged the Parties to the R-ARCSS to convene an urgent meeting to consult on how they can contribute towards de-escalating and resolving the crisis within SPLM/A-IO,” the communiqué read. 

The council commended the RTGoNU on the progress made so far in the implementation of the peace agreement in particular on the swearing-in of Members of Parliament the Council of States. 

“The council urged the TNLA to prioritize and expedite the review and adoption of pending bills that are critical in moving the implementation of outstanding Pre-Transitional and Transitional Period tasks forward,” the IGAD statement said. “Further commended steps taken towards kick-starting the process of judicial reform, Permanent Constitution-Making as well as the establishment of the Commission on Truth, Reconciliation, and Healing (CTRH).”

The council also appealed to the Parties to the R-ARCSS and the RTGoNU to fast-track the implementation of other outstanding tasks in particular those under Chapters 3, 4, 5, and 6 of the R-ARCSS, and further urged the I-TGoNU and OPP to fast-track their nominations to the Judicial Reforms Committee.

The IGAD council of ministers urged parties to the peace deal to expedite the implementation of the security arrangements agreement, particularly the graduation and deployment of National Unified Forces and the establishment of the DDR Commission.

Representing international partners in the extraordinary meeting were Nicholas Haysom, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of Mission of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS); Dr. Annette Weber, European Union (EU) Special Representative to the Horn of Africa; and Amb. Jonny Baxter, UK Ambassador to South Sudan representing the Troika (USA, UK, and Norway).