A group of diplomatic missions in South Sudan on Friday issued a sharp rebuke over the legitimacy of the country’s transitional arrangements, saying the 2018 peace agreement remains the only legal framework governing the transitional government.
In a joint statement, the embassies of Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States, along with the European Union delegation, reaffirmed their support for a sustainable peace process while warning against unilateral departures from established provisions.
The group, mostly major donors to the country, said any amendments to the 2018 Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan must strictly follow procedures set out in the accord itself.
The diplomats also endorsed a recent assessment by the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC). They criticised what they described as claims of political consensus in the capital, calling the notion of inclusive consultations “illogical” in the absence of Dr. Riek Machar, leader of the country’s second-largest party.
Last week, the cabinet approved amendments to provisions in the 2018 peace agreement that would separate the conduct of a census and drafting of a permanent constitution from the holding of elections.
Information Minister Ateny Wek defended the changes, citing Article 8.4 of Chapter 8 of the Revitalised Peace Agreement, which he said allows signatory parties to amend the deal.
He said the proposed amendments would be submitted to parliament for final approval, but did not clarify whether they would also be presented to RJMEC, which is a legal requirement under the agreement.
The amendments have been rejected by the opposition SPLM-IO aligned with Riek Machar, who is currently in detention and facing treason charges in a special court in Juba.
RJMEC Interim Chair Maj. Gen. George Owinow told lawmakers on Monday that the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity must comply strictly with Articles 1.9.4 and 8.4 of the 2018 peace agreement, which require consultation, consensus and agreement among all signatory parties in any amendment process.
Despite the guidance from the peace monitoring body, the government proceeded on Friday to table the amendment bill 2026 in parliament through Justice Minister Michael Makuei.
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