South Sudan Rome Agreement

On August 28th, 2020, South Sudan President Salva Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar signed the Rome Declaration, aimed at reviving a stalled peace process in the country. The agreement was brokered by the Community of Sant’Egidio, a Catholic lay organization that has mediated peace talks in several countries around the world.

The Rome Declaration calls for a ceasefire, the release of political prisoners, and the formation of a transitional government that will include all parties to the conflict. It also calls for the inclusion of women and youth in the peace process, as well as the establishment of a truth commission and a hybrid court to investigate and prosecute war crimes and human rights violations committed during the conflict.

This agreement is significant because South Sudan has been in a state of civil war since 2013, which has left tens of thousands dead and millions displaced. Previous peace agreements have failed to bring an end to the conflict, and hopes for a successful resolution seemed low until the Rome Declaration was signed.

In addition to the immediate goals of ceasefire and transitional government formation, the Rome Declaration sets the stage for addressing some of the underlying issues that have fueled the conflict. These include disputes over resources, political power struggles, and deep ethnic divisions.

The implementation of the Rome Declaration will undoubtedly face challenges. There are many armed groups operating in South Sudan, some of which may not be willing to lay down their weapons. Furthermore, there is a lack of trust between the government and the opposition, with both sides accusing the other of violating previous peace agreements.

However, the fact that both President Kiir and Mr. Machar were willing to sign the Rome Declaration is a positive sign. It shows that there is still some willingness to negotiate and find a way forward for South Sudan. The international community can play a role in supporting the implementation of the agreement, by providing political and financial support and monitoring progress.

In conclusion, the Rome Declaration is a significant step towards peace in South Sudan, but much work lies ahead to achieve lasting stability. The international community should continue to support South Sudan in its efforts for peace and help ensure that the Rome Declaration is implemented in good faith.