A youth representative to the peace monitoring body (RJMEC), has welcomed the recent declaration of cessation of hostilities issued under the directive of President Salva Kiir by newly appointed Chief of Defence Forces General Santino Deng Wol, describing it as a step that should be given room to prove itself in the field.

Patrick Godi linked Santino’s role in the current directive to his earlier involvement in the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement, noting that he previously served in key security coordination structures that brought together rival forces.

He said Santino was part of the Joint Defence Board and contributed to decisions on cantonment, training, and the integration of forces under the transitional security arrangements, work that later fed into the broader unification of armed groups.

“In the implementation of the agreement, right from the beginning, he was among the key actors on the government side, working with counterparts from the opposition on issues of force unification,” Godi said.

He added that the current directive on cessation of hostilities reflects continuity in efforts aimed at reducing armed confrontation between government and opposition forces.

“Now that over a year later, at least one of the major parties has decided to call for a cessation, I think we should give it the benefit of the doubt,” he said.

Godi said that such developments often form gradual steps in conflict resolution processes and should be assessed in practice rather than dismissed early.

“In any conflict, there are always baby steps that have to be taken, and this declaration falls under those steps that can build stronger commitment from other parties,” he said.

He said the move could open space for political dialogue, arguing that negotiations and mediation become difficult while fighting continues on the ground.

“You cannot engage in any political process, be it negotiations or mediation, while in the field you are still actively fighting against each other,” he said.

However, Godi said concerns raised by opposition groups regarding trust and implementation should not be ignored.

“Due consideration needs to be given to the concerns of the opposition towards the move,” he said.

He added that addressing those concerns would be necessary for building confidence in any ceasefire arrangement and for supporting broader political engagement.

Godi also said that regional and international actors, including the African Union and IGAD, alongside civil society groups, have repeatedly called for a return to a cessation of hostilities agreement as a foundation for sustained peace efforts in South Sudan.