SSYR Statement on Rising Political Tensions and UNMISS–South Africa Talks
For Immediate Release
October 8, 2025 | Juba
The South Sudan Youth Reforms (SSYR) welcomes the high-level engagement between leaders of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the Deputy President of South Africa during his visit to Juba. At a time when political tensions and violence are escalating across parts of South Sudan, this meeting reinforces the urgent need for renewed commitment to peace.
Cessation of Hostilities
SSYR echoes the call for an immediate and unconditional cessation of hostilities. Armed confrontations continue to cost innocent lives, displace communities, and deepen mistrust among South Sudan’s citizens. Lasting peace cannot be achieved through violence; it must begin with a genuine silencing of the guns.
Inclusive Dialogue
We stress that inclusive dialogue remains the only pathway forward. The 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement was founded on the principle that peace must be negotiated with all stakeholders at the table—political parties, armed groups, civil society, and especially the youth who represent the majority of our population. Any process that excludes voices from across our society will only reproduce cycles of conflict.
The Peace Agreement as the Sole Framework
SSYR reaffirms that the Revitalized Peace Agreement remains the only viable framework for preventing and resolving conflict in South Sudan. Attempts to bypass or selectively implement its provisions undermine the future of this country. We urge South Sudan’s leaders to recommit to this agreement not as a political tool, but as a binding national contract for stability, unity, and reform.
SSYR’s Position
- We commend UNMISS and the Government of South Africa for their joint commitment to support peace in South Sudan.
- We demand that South Sudan’s leaders prioritize peace over power struggles and immediately halt violence.
- We call for all peace guarantors, including IGAD, AU, and international partners, to strengthen accountability mechanisms for violations of the peace deal.
- We urge our fellow South Sudanese youth to raise their voices against violence and to champion the cause of dialogue and reform.
Conclusion
The world’s youngest nation stands once again at a crossroads. The path of violence leads only to destruction, while the path of peace—anchored in dialogue and the Revitalized Peace Agreement—offers the promise of stability and hope. SSYR stands firmly with the people of South Sudan in demanding peace, accountability, and a future built on justice.
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