SSYR Statement on the UN Warning of Peace Deal Collapse in South Sudan
For Immediate Release
October 7, 2025 | Juba
The South Sudan Youth Reforms (SSYR) echoes the urgent warning delivered by Anita Kiki Gbeho, the United Nations’ Acting Special Representative, regarding the deliberate political crisis that has fractured the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement.
We recognize the U.N.’s clear assessment: the collapse of the peace process is not accidental, but man-made. It is the result of political choices by South Sudan’s leaders who have prioritized power consolidation over peace, fueling violence, civilian casualties, and humanitarian disaster.
A Man-Made Political Breakdown
The reported 59% increase in civilian deaths this year is an indictment of those in power. The house arrest of First Vice President Riek Machar and senior SPLM-IO leaders, coupled with sham trials, has deepened mistrust and accelerated the erosion of the peace agreement. Instead of fostering reconciliation, the ruling elites are weaponizing the justice system to eliminate rivals, plunging the country further into instability.
Humanitarian Crisis Worsening
Nearly half a million South Sudanese have been newly displaced this year, with conflict and flooding devastating communities. The increase in violent restrictions on humanitarian access—including attacks on aid workers and supplies—has pushed the country to the brink of famine. These acts of hostility against humanitarian assistance reveal the government’s gross disregard for the survival of its own citizens.
SSYR’s Position
- We affirm the U.N.’s call for an immediate cessation of violence and urge all armed actors to respect the 2017 ceasefire agreement.
- We demand the release of opposition leaders unlawfully detained and insist that all judicial proceedings adhere to international standards of fairness and due process.
- We call on South Sudan’s leaders to recommit to the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement, which remains the only credible framework for peace and stability.
- We urge the transitional government to guarantee humanitarian access, protect aid workers, and prioritize essential services over political patronage.
- We appeal to IGAD, the AU, and international partners to intensify pressure on the government to honor its obligations under the peace deal.
A Call to the Youth and Citizens of South Sudan
SSYR reminds the young people of this nation that peace is their future. It cannot be mortgaged by leaders clinging to power at the expense of human lives. The collapse of the peace agreement would be the collapse of South Sudan’s future. Youth must stand firm in demanding accountability, inclusion, and a government that places the welfare of citizens above personal gain.
Conclusion
The people of South Sudan deserve peace, safety, and dignity. SSYR joins the U.N. in declaring that the time for action is now. The alternative to peace is famine, mass displacement, and endless conflict. Our country cannot afford another lost decade.
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