Sustained regional engagement, credible ceasefire monitoring and collective responsibility remain essential to securing lasting peace and stability in South Sudan. As the country navigates a delicate transition, effective implementation of agreed security arrangements continues to require close cooperation among regional partners, peace mechanisms and parties to the peace process.
The leadership of the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) visited the Defence Headquarters in Nairobi, where the delegation briefed the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) on the prevailing security situation in South Sudan, progress in the peace process and ongoing monitoring and verification activities.
The delegation was received by the Assistant Chief of the Defence Forces responsible for Operations, Plans, Doctrine and Training (ACDF OPD&T), Major General Fredrick Leuria.
Discussions focused on developments surrounding the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), implementation of transitional security arrangements and the role of regional actors in supporting the peace process.
CTSAMVM is an Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)-led multinational mechanism mandated to monitor, verify and report on compliance with the 2018 revitalized peace agreement and the 2017 Cessation of Hostilities Agreement. Its work provides an important accountability framework for assessing adherence to ceasefire commitments and supporting confidence among parties to the peace process.
During the engagement, outgoing CTSAMVM Chairperson Major General Teshome Ayana described the security environment in South Sudan as fragile, citing delays in the implementation of transitional security arrangements as a key concern. He expressed appreciation to Kenya and the KDF for their steadfast support to the mechanism and wider regional peace efforts.
Major General Teshome also introduced the incoming CTSAMVM Chairperson, Major General (Dr) Hailu Endashaw Atomsa, marking a leadership transition intended to sustain continuity in the mechanism’s monitoring and verification mandate.
Major General (Dr) Hailu pledged to work closely with the Transitional Government of National Unity, signatories to the peace agreement and regional stakeholders in advancing the implementation of outstanding commitments and supporting efforts towards lasting peace, stability and reconciliation in South Sudan.
Major General Leuria commended the outgoing Chairperson for his leadership and contribution to the peace process, while reaffirming Kenya’s continued support for regional initiatives aimed at restoring sustainable peace and stability in South Sudan.
He underscored the collective responsibility of IGAD member states in sustaining CTSAMVM, calling for continued political, operational and financial support to enable the mechanism to effectively discharge its mandate.
The engagement highlighted the importance of timely implementation of transitional security arrangements in preserving the ceasefire, strengthening confidence among the parties and reducing the risk of renewed instability. Effective monitoring and verification remain equally critical to promoting accountability and providing regional stakeholders with credible assessments of progress and emerging challenges.
The leadership transition within CTSAMVM therefore comes at an important stage in South Sudan’s peace process, with sustained regional cooperation required to address implementation delays and preserve gains achieved under the revitalized peace agreement.
Kenya continues to play an important role in regional peace and security initiatives, working through IGAD and other multilateral frameworks to support dialogue, conflict resolution and peacebuilding. Continued cooperation between the KDF, CTSAMVM and regional partners strengthens collective efforts towards a peaceful, stable and secure South Sudan and contributes to broader peace and security in the region.
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