JUBA — The Jonglei Civil Society Network (JCSN) has issued a strong appeal for an immediate end to the ongoing hostilities in Jonglei State, warning that continued fighting is costing innocent lives and undermining prospects for peace in South Sudan.
The Chairperson of the network, Bol Deng Bol, expressed deep concern over the escalation of violence despite repeated appeals by civil society, local communities, and the international community, including the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
“The conflict has resulted in the loss of lives—civilians and armed forces alike—children, the elderly, and fellow South Sudanese who are being forced to take up arms against one another,” the statement read.
It questioned whether the sacrifices made during South Sudan’s struggle for independence were meant to culminate in continued internal bloodshed.
The civil society group strongly condemned the fighting between the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO) and the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), describing the violence as unnecessary and counterproductive to nation-building.
The statement also criticized the Unity Government for what it described as a reversal in the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement signed in 2018. According to the network, the peace agreement’s implementation does not require violence and should not be paid for with the blood of South Sudanese citizens.
“The civil society has never been silent on matters affecting our country,” Bol said, adding that failure to uphold the peace agreement reflects selfish interests rather than patriotism.
The watchdog called for an unconditional cessation of hostilities and urged all parties to return to dialogue as the only acceptable and sustainable mechanism for addressing grievances related to the implementation of the peace agreement.
The group reiterated its commitment to nonviolent interventions and appealed to all armed actors to give peace a chance for the sake of national unity and the protection of civilian lives.
