The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) in a statement on Monday denounced the attacks in the Abyei Administrative Area over the weekend on 27-28 January 2024.
Several people, including two UN peacekeepers from the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), were killed in the attacks,” the statement read in part. “RJMEC condoles with the families of all those who lost their lives in this regrettable incident. These attacks did not happen in isolation, but follow a pattern of continuing violence between local communities of that area in recent weeks and months, which also resulted in the death of the Deputy Administrator of the Abyei Administrative Area in late December 2023.”
“RJMEC urges for dialogue to break the cycle of violence and underscores the need for the culture of peace to prevail,” it added.
According to RJMEC, South Sudan’s successful democratic transition hinges on the implementation of key tasks that are still incomplete, in particular the unification of forces and their deployment, and the making of the permanent constitution.
“With so much at stake for the people of South Sudan as they look to have their democratic aspirations met by holding their first elections as an independent nation, RJMEC reminds the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU) of its responsibility, as per Article 1.2.2 of the R-ARCSS, to restore permanent and sustainable peace, security, and stability,” the statement added. It is important to emphasize the need for close collaboration and collegiality at all levels of government in order to strengthen the processes and institutions of governance nationwide, which include those responsible for conducting dialogue and mediation.”
“In this way, the levels of social cohesion and public confidence needed to hold free, fair, and credible elections can continue to be built,” the RJMEC statement concluded.