The interim Chairperson of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), Ambassador Major General George Owino, on Monday paid a courtesy visit to the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Deputy Executive Secretary in Djibouti, where the two leaders held discussions on the state of South Sudan’s peace implementation process and the urgent need for an immediate cessation of hostilities.

The talks come amid renewed fighting in South Sudan, which has sparked growing diplomatic concern both regionally and internationally. Peace partners have intensified calls on South Sudanese leaders to disengage from ongoing military confrontations, warning that sustained peace and regional stability can only be achieved through inclusive political dialogue rather than armed conflict.

RJMEC is mandated to monitor all aspects of the peace agreement, including oversight of the Transitional Government’s activities. Its role also includes facilitating the resolution of disputes among signatory parties, particularly where unresolved issues risk undermining the peace implementation process. In addition, the commission supports progress in transitional justice, economic reforms, and the necessary preparations for credible elections.

Throughout 2025, RJMEC has repeatedly criticised delays in peace talks, the slow implementation of key provisions of the agreement, and continued extensions of the transitional period. Recent reports indicate that South Sudan’s political and security situation has further deteriorated, with violence reported across multiple regions of the country. In response, RJMEC has consistently urged all stakeholders, alongside the international community and peace partners, to apply pressure on signatories to fully implement the peace accord.

During the meeting, the IGAD Deputy Executive Secretary reaffirmed the organisation’s strong commitment to peace in South Sudan. IGAD has played a pivotal role in facilitating dialogue between the government and opposition factions, leveraging its regional influence to support mediation efforts aimed at restoring stability and advancing the peace process.