South Sudan’s peace process is under severe strain, the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) told the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Committee (CTC) meeting as it resumed its sittings after nearly a year without convening.
Opening the session, CTSAMVM chairperson Maj. Gen. Tashome Anagawe Ayana said the meeting was taking place under “exceptional circumstances,” marked by worsening insecurity, persistent ceasefire violations, and operational constraints that continue to undermine the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement.
He told the CTC that the prolonged pause in sittings reflected the difficult environment in which the monitoring mechanism has been operating, including access restrictions, insecurity, and limited resources, all of which have affected timely monitoring and verification across the country.
Maj. Gen. Tashome said the security situation has deteriorated significantly since the Nasir incident, which he described as a turning point in the peace process.
Since then, he noted, armed confrontations between government forces and SPLM-IO elements have become more frequent and widespread, with shifting territorial control reported in several locations.
The CTSAMVM chairperson expressed serious concern over reports of aerial bombardments in parts of Upper Nile and Jonglei states, allegedly affecting civilian areas.
He warned that if verified, such incidents would constitute grave violations of the permanent ceasefire and applicable international humanitarian law.
He further told the meeting that CTSAMVM has documented incidents affecting civilians and humanitarian actors, including ambushes, abductions, looting, and alleged extrajudicial killings.
Disruptions to river transport and key trade corridors, he added, are compounding economic hardship and food insecurity in many parts of the country.
Sexual and gender-based violence remains a grave concern, particularly crimes targeting women, girls, and children.
Maj. Gen. Tashome said such acts are unacceptable and must be unequivocally condemned by all signatory parties in line with the provisions of the peace agreement.
The CTSAMVM chair also highlighted serious resource and capacity constraints facing the mechanism, including reduced donor support that has forced restructuring and consolidation of monitoring teams, even as the number of reported ceasefire violations continues to rise.
Despite these challenges, he said CTSAMVM continues to prioritize verification activities within its limited capacity and remains committed to its mandate.
However, he stressed that effective monitoring depends on full cooperation from signatory parties, including unrestricted access, improved security guarantees, and timely approval of operational plans.
“The peace agreement remains the only viable framework for sustainable peace,” he told the meeting, emphasizing that agreements are upheld not by signatures alone, but through consistent compliance, protection of civilians, accountability, and genuine political will.
Maj. Gen. Tashome urged all signatory parties to recommit to the permanent ceasefire and to support CTSAMVM’s work, warning that continued violations risk further eroding confidence in the peace process.
