PCCA Critiques IGAD’s Response to South Sudan’s Ongoing Crisis
The People’s Coalition for Civil Action (PCCA) criticizes IGAD for its positive portrayal of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), claiming it has failed to foster peace. PCCA highlights ongoing instabilities, power succession issues, and calls for inclusive political dialogue. They warn that ignoring the roots of unrest could lead to chaos and destabilize the region further, urging IGAD to rethink their strategies.
The People’s Coalition for Civil Action (PCCA) has expressed profound disappointment with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) regarding a recent summit on the situation in South Sudan. Their discontent pertains particularly to statements made about the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), which PCCA deems not only inaccurate but detrimental to the quest for genuine peace and stability in the region.
PCCA questions the assertion that the R-ARCSS serves as the cornerstone for peace, highlighting an inconsistency with IGAD’s own monitoring reports that outline ongoing failures in fulfilling the agreement. The Coalition raises concerns over President Kiir’s breaches of the agreement, such as dismissing officials from other parties, and the ongoing military fragmentation, leading to a lack of peace and stability documented by the numerous IDP and refugee crises in the country.
According to the Coalition, the R-ARCSS has become a burden rather than a pathway to resolution. They highlight recent violence, notably in Nasir, as evidence of rising discontent with the agreement, a sentiment echoed throughout various regions including Unity and Western Equatoria. The circumstances seem only to attract IGAD’s attention due to their impact on political elites in Juba and the international community.
PCCA further challenges IGAD’s positive assessment of the R-ARCSS, arguing it has not prompted significant conflict reduction or improved conditions for developmental investments. They criticize the framework for failing to create an essential political transition, arguing the agreement has only exacerbated their economic troubles and resulted in severe disillusionment among South Sudanese citizens.
The recent summit’s decision to formulate an IGAD Ministerial-level sub-committee on South Sudan has also been critiqued by PCCA, which views it as inadequate in addressing the deeper, structural issues facing the nation. They argue the vague mandate of this committee lacks substance, failing to conceive a clear strategy for establishing sustainable peace.
PCCA states that the unrest in South Sudan more closely relates to power succession challenges rather than the execution of the R-ARCSS. They assert that rumors surrounding President Kiir’s plans to transition power to Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel complicate the sociopolitical landscape and warrant direct attention rather than a continued reliance on an ineffective peace framework.
The Coalition contends that equating the R-ARCSS with the realities in South Sudan limits the ability of IGAD to comprehend the nation’s challenges. PCCA believes that both the R-ARCSS and the Tumaini Initiative are outdated in responding to South Sudan’s current political climate, and they warn against the dangers of ignoring these emergent issues validly raised by civilians — urging for a reevaluation of the role IGAD plays in the region.
PCCA posits that the South Sudanese people desire a political environment free from the dominance of President Kiir and Dr. Riek Machar, advocating for an inclusive national dialogue that addresses current crises through constitutional agreements and election timelines. The Coalition warns that failure to enact these changes could lead South Sudan toward chaos and its eventual fragmentation, potentially creating broader regional instability.
Thus, PCCA implores IGAD to facilitate the establishment of a unified national army and push for an all-inclusive political dialogue that can pave the way toward transformative constitutional agreements and electoral processes. The statement emphasizes the urgency of acknowledging citizens’ demands, stressing that the prolonged nature of political failures threatens both South Sudan’s integrity and regional peace.
In conclusion, the People’s Coalition for Civil Action (PCCA) conveys discontent with IGAD’s recent assessments of the R-ARCSS, arguing that these evaluations fail to acknowledge the complex realities in South Sudan. They assert that the framework has not fostered genuine peace or stability, and that the ongoing political turmoil stems from deeper issues regarding power succession. The PCCA calls for a reevaluation of strategies adopted by IGAD, advocating for an inclusive political dialogue and practical measures towards momentum in governance rather than a mere reliance on ineffective agreements. Therefore, addressing the hearts of the challenges while aligning with the people’s aspirations is deemed crucial to averting further distress in South Sudan.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
