Signatories to the peace agreement sign a deal to extend the transitional period by 24 months. | 5th August 2022. | Photo: Lou Nelson/Eye Radio.

Troika countries on Thursday expressed dissatisfaction over lack of commitment among parties to the 2018 peace deal – a year after the transitional government gave itself a 24-month legitimacy to implement critical provisions.

The United States, United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Norway said deadline after deadline has been missed as laws remain unpassed, commissions unformed, and implementation bodies unfunded.

The joint statement from Western Countries said this is despite the fact that the unity government justified the extension as an opportunity to complete the pending tasks.

“The transitional government justified a 24-month extension of the transitional period on the basis of a clear timeline for a number of the transitional government’s own priorities in delivering free and fair elections, as set out in their ‘Roadmap,’” reads the statement made at the R-JMEC meeting.

“However, there has been neither any meaningful progress since nor evidence of political will.”

Troika said over the past 12 months, the unity government has shown no sign of the commitment and willingness to make “these meetings an effective forum for discussion and unlocking progress.” 

They also call for compromises to unlock progress despite fewer months left until elections are due to take place.

Troika believes that, without the political will, the government will fail in its mandate to deliver a better future that the South Sudanese people want.

“With less than 18 months left until elections are due to take place, we urge the parties to the agreement to demonstrate the political will needed to overcome differences and reach the compromises that will ultimately unlock progress.”

“Without this, they will fail in their mandate to deliver a better future that the South Sudanese people want, and deserve through peaceful, free, fair and credible elections.”

The 2018 peace deal dictates the conduct of a general election at the end of the transitional period in December next year but the parties to the unity government extended the transitional period for 24 months in November last year.