This archive report was first published on 12 May 2020.
South Sudan is at a critical juncture in its peace process, with parties struggling to agree on the allocation of states' leadership. According to a communique dated May 7, 2020, signed by President Salva Kiir, a consensus has been reached on the allocation of states. However, First Vice President Riek Machar and a coalition of political parties have distanced themselves from the document.
Ting Mayai, a researcher at Sudd Institute in Juba, has urged peace parties to compromise in order to end the deadlock on states allocation. He warned that delays threaten the accord and that the lack of authority on the ground is a security threat to the nation.
Mayai pointed out that apart from the delayed appointment of governors, the reconstitution of Parliament has not been addressed. He also highlighted intercommunal clashes, threats of Covid-19, and floods as issues that would have been addressed by states governments.
Some parties have rejected last week's announcement on the sharing of state leadership positions. The Other Political Parties (OPP) rejected President Kiir's move, saying they were not represented when the decision was being made. However, the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) welcomed the allocation of Upper Nile State, saying it's the only neutral group to the agreement that can unite communities in Upper Nile in order to end intercommunal clashes.
Dr. Machar distanced himself from the communique, describing it as Mr. Kiir's lone decision. In a letter addressed to Amb. Augustino S.K Njoroge, the interim chairman of the peace monitoring group, The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), Dr. Machar said President Kiir's decision is a violation of the peace agreement.
